Implantable scaffolds for treatment of sinusitis

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes, inter alia, materials, devices, kits and methods that may be used to treat chronic sinusitis. More specifically, a drug-eluting scaffold is implanted in the middle meatus to treat chronic sinusitis for weeks to months.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 15/197,686entitled IMPLANTABLE SCAFFOLDS FOR TREATMENT OF SINUSITIS and filed Jun.29, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/186,030 entitled IMPLANTABLE SCAFFOLDS FOR TREATMENT OF SINUSITIS andfiled Jun. 29, 2015, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/289,982entitled IMPLANTABLE SCAFFOLDS FOR TREATMENT OF SINUSITIS and filed Feb.2, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/332,134 entitledIMPLANTABLE SCAFFOLDS FOR TREATMENT OF SINUSITIS and filed May 5, 2016,each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure describes, inter alia, materials, devices, kits andmethods that may be used to treat chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition defined bysymptomatic inflammation of the paranasal sinuses lasting longer than 12weeks. Up to 16% of the population is affected by this condition.Cavities associated with CRS include the maxillary, frontal, ethmoid,ostiomeatal complex, ethmoid infundibulum and sphenoid sinuses as wellas the middle meatus location, or a combination thereof. Common symptomsof CRS include impaired nasal obstruction, facial pressure or fullness,nasal discharge, and olfactory loss; these symptoms likely arise due tomucosal inflammation, local infection, and/or impairment of mucociliaryfunction.

While there is no approved therapy for the treatment of CRS,evidence-based medical management supports the use of a host of oral ortopical corticosteroid therapies for the disease. High-volume, dailysaline irrigation with adjunct application of a topical corticosteroidvia nasal sprays is common as a first-line therapy. Second line agentsfor flare-ups and worsening disease include a short course of oralcorticosteroids, although this approach can lead to unintended systemicside effects including glaucoma, osteoporosis and avascular necrosis ofthe hip and shoulder. It is estimated that up to 12-50% of CRS patientsdo not respond positively to this recommended medical regimen and areoften candidates for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) and/orballoon sinuplasty dilation.

Avoidance of surgical interventions in the treatment of CRS would beideal for patients since these procedures carry surgery-associatedrisks, cause post-operative pain and discomfort, and require burdensomeand costly post-operative cleaning. Clinical data has demonstrated thattopical corticosteroids are effective in reducing inflammationassociated with CRS and thus, are a rational choice for the managementof this condition.

An ideal treatment for CRS would provide local and sustainedanti-inflammatory drug delivery in the sinuses of patients as analternative treatment option to sinus surgery. Such a therapy wouldideally establish safe and effective sustained drug delivery localizedto the inflamed tissue and in some cases could prevent the need forsurgery.

FESS involves removal of bone and tissue to enlarge sinus outflowtracts, widen sinus openings or ostia and allow for ventilation ofpreviously obstructed sinus cavities and restoration of mucociliaryclearance. Currently, there are approximately 500,000 proceduresperformed annually in the United States.

By removing small pieces of bone, polyps, and/or debridement of tissuewithin the sinus cavities, FESS has proven to be an effective way toimprove the drainage pathway of the sinuses. However, a significantnumber of postoperative complications such as inflammation, swelling,disease recurrence, need for repeat procedures and synechiae are oftenobserved. Postoperative care is therefore an important component ofFESS. Approximately 10-20% of FESS patients become refractory, do notrespond to treatment, and may require additional surgical interventionor lifelong medical therapy.

Some form of sinus packing is generally conducted postoperatively toFESS. Examples of packing materials include simple dressings moistenedwith saline, foam dressings based on polysaccharide gel, PEG-basedmaterials, and middle meatal spacers. Implantable sinus stents have alsobeen devised and these scaffolds are intended to stabilize the sinusopenings and the turbinates, reduce edema, and/or prevent obstruction bytissue adhesion. They also have the capability of being integrated withtherapeutic agent(s) that may be delivered topically over time. Thislocal delivery of therapeutic agent(s) may be superior to topicalapplication in the postoperative setting. In this regard, theUSFDA-approved PROPEL™ system (Intersect ENT, Menlo Park, Calif., USA)is a self-expanding, bioresorbable, steroid-eluting stent that isintended for use in the ethmoid sinus post-FESS.

SUMMARY

As used herein, terms “sinus” and “sinus cavity” refer to both sinuscavities and nasal cavities, which include, for example, the maxillary,frontal and ethmoid sinuses, the ostiomeatal complex, the ethmoidinfundibulum and the sphenoid sinuses as well as the middle meatus (asinus cavity).

The present disclosure describes various sinus scaffolds havingfiber-based and non-fiber-based designs. These designs vary in form,dimension, and delivery location (i.e. maxillary, frontal, ethmoidal,sphenoidal sinuses, and middle meatus). In addition, therapeuticagent(s) may optionally be included within the scaffolds for localdelivery over a brief or extended period of time. Therefore, thesescaffolds may be used to improve sinus patency, for example, insurgically modified sinus spaces or in sinus spaces that have notpreviously undergone surgical modification. Moreover, these scaffoldsmay be used to deliver local therapeutic agent(s) to such sinus spaces,including, for instance, as part of a treatment program that is analternative to sinus surgery (e.g., FESS) or in other instances as partof a postoperative care of FESS in some embodiments.

In various aspects, the present disclosure pertains to generally tubularscaffolds that are configured for implantation in a sinus cavity of apatient. As used herein, “generally tubular” includes hollow shapes ofcircular cross-section or non-circular cross-section (e.g., oval, etc.)and hollow shapes of constant diameter or variable diameter (e.g. oftapered diameter, such as in a hollow frustum). Both ends of thegenerally tubular scaffold may be open, one end may be open and theother end closed, or both ends may be closed. In many beneficialembodiments described herein a generally tubular scaffold is employed,which is in the shape of a hollow cylinder (i.e., having a circularcross-section and a constant diameter), in which both ends are open. Thescaffolds may have a fiber-based or non-fiber-based structure andcomprise a scaffold material and an optional conformal coating, whichcomprises a coating material that at least partially coats the scaffoldmaterial.

The scaffold material may or may not comprise a therapeutic agent, forexample, selected from the therapeutic agents described elsewhereherein, among other possibilities.

Where the scaffold comprises a therapeutic agent, the scaffold may beprovided with a variety of release profiles.

In some embodiments, the scaffold may demonstrate certain cumulativerelease characteristic when subjected to an in vitro assay wherein thescaffold is submerged in a pH 7.4 PBS buffer solution containing 2% wt %SDS at 37° C. under gentle shaking on a rotary shaker, wherein a volumeof the buffer solution in which the scaffold is submerged is at least 10times greater than a volume of the buffer solution at which a quantityof therapeutic agent corresponding to the total amount of therapeuticagent in the scaffold is at a saturation point in the buffer solution(sometimes referred to as sink conditions), and wherein buffer isremoved completely weekly for quantification and replaced with freshbuffer.

After one week in such in vitro conditions, the scaffold may demonstratea cumulative release of therapeutic agent based on total amount oftherapeutic agent in the scaffold ranging from 1% or less to 70% or more(e.g., ranging from 1% to 2% to 5% to 10% to 15% to 20% to 25% to 30% to35% to 40% to 45% to 50% to 55% to 60% to 65% to 70%) (i.e., rangingbetween any two of the preceding numerical values), beneficially rangingfrom 2% to 50%, more beneficially ranging from 5% to 30%, in certainembodiments.

Alternatively or in addition, after two weeks in such in vitroconditions, the scaffold may demonstrate a cumulative release oftherapeutic agent based on total amount of therapeutic agent in thescaffold ranging from 5% or less to 80% or more (e.g., ranging from 5%to 7% to 10% to 15% to 20% to 25% to 30% to 35% to 40% to 45% to 50% to55% to 60% to 65% to 70% to 75% to 80%) (i.e., ranging between any twoof the preceding numerical values), beneficially ranging from 7% to 50%,more beneficially ranging from 10% to 30%, in certain embodiments.

Alternatively or in addition, after four weeks in such in vitroconditions, the scaffold may demonstrate a cumulative release oftherapeutic agent based on total amount of therapeutic agent in thescaffold ranging from 10% or less to 90% or more (e.g., ranging from 10%to 15% to 20% to 25% to 30% to 35% to 40% to 45% to 50% to 55% to 60% to65% to 70% to 75% to 80% to 85% to 90%) (i.e., ranging between any twoof the preceding numerical values), beneficially ranging from 20% to75%, more beneficially ranging from 30% to 60%, in certain embodiments.

Alternatively or in addition, after eight weeks in such in vitroconditions, the scaffold may demonstrate a cumulative release oftherapeutic agent based on total amount of therapeutic agent in thescaffold ranging from 25% or less to 100% (e.g., ranging from 20% to 25%to 30% to 35% to 40% to 45% to 50% to 55% to 60% to 65% to 70% to 75% to80% to 85% to 90% to 95% to 100%) (i.e., ranging between any two of thepreceding numerical values), beneficially ranging from 30% to 90%, morebeneficially ranging from 40% to 80%, in certain embodiments.

In some embodiments, the scaffold may demonstrate certain cumulative invivo release characteristic.

For example, after one week in vivo in a human sinus or a rabbit sinus,the scaffold may demonstrate a cumulative release of therapeutic agentbased on total amount of therapeutic agent in the scaffold ranging from1% or less to 45% or more (e.g., ranging from 1% to 1.5% to 2% to 3% to5% to 10% to 15% to 20% to 25% to 30% to 35% to 40% to 45%) (i.e.,ranging between any two of the preceding numerical values), beneficially1.5 ranging to 35%, more beneficially ranging from 3% to 20%, in certainembodiments.

Alternatively or in addition, after two weeks in vivo in a human sinusor a rabbit sinus, the scaffold may demonstrate a cumulative release oftherapeutic agent based on total amount of therapeutic agent in thescaffold ranging from 3% or less to 50% or more (e.g., ranging from 3%to 5% to 7% to 10% to 15% to 20% to 25% to 30% to 35% to 40% to 45% to50%) (i.e., ranging between any two of the preceding numerical values),beneficially ranging from 5% to 35%, more beneficially ranging from 7%to 20%, in certain embodiments.

Alternatively or in addition, after four weeks in vivo in a human sinusor a rabbit sinus, the scaffold may demonstrate a cumulative release oftherapeutic agent based on total amount of therapeutic agent in thescaffold ranging from 7% or less to 60% or more (e.g., ranging from 7%to 10% to 15% to 20% to 25% to 30% to 35% to 40% to 45% to 50% to 55% to60%) (i.e., ranging between any two of the preceding numerical values),beneficially ranging from 15% to 50%, more beneficially ranging from 20%to 30%, in certain embodiments.

Alternatively or in addition, after eight weeks in vivo in a human sinusor a rabbit sinus, the scaffold may demonstrate a cumulative release oftherapeutic agent based on total amount of therapeutic agent in thescaffold ranging from 15% or less to 100% (e.g., ranging from 15% to 20%to 25% to 30% to 35% to 40% to 45% to 50% to 55% to 60% to 65% to 70% to75% to 80% to 85% to 90% to 95% to 100%) (i.e., ranging between any twoof the preceding numerical values), beneficially ranging from 20% to60%, more beneficially ranging from 25% to 55%, in certain embodiments.

In embodiments where the scaffolds comprise a fiber-based structure, thescaffold may comprise a braided structure containing one or more strandsof the scaffold material.

In some embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the braided structure may compriseopposing sets of helical strands. For example, each set of helicalstrands may comprise between 2 and 64 members, more typically between 8and 32 members.

In some embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the braided structure may comprise afirst strand of material having a first stiffness and a second strand ofmaterial having a second stiffness that is greater than the firststiffness. As a specific example, the second strand of material may havea modulus of >3 GPa which may be at least 2 times the modulus of thefirst strand of material.

In some embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the braided structure may comprise cellsof differing size. For example, a portion of the braided structure maybe removed such that cells of differing sizes are formed or the braidedstructure may be braided such that cells of differing sizes are formed,among other possibilities. In some instances, the cells of differingsize may include first cells having a first area and second cells havinga second area, wherein first area is at least 50% greater than thesecond area. Variation in cell size may occur, for example, along alongitudinal length of the scaffold and/or around a circumference of thescaffold.

In some embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the scaffold may comprise a longitudinalelastomeric fiber that is mechanically coupled to two or more nodes ofthe braided structure.

In some embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, one or more ends of the one or morestrands may be woven back into the braided structure and bonded.

In some embodiments, the generally tubular scaffolds of the presentdisclosure may comprise a scaffold material that includes an elongatemember that is wound into a spiral tubular structure. In certain ofthese embodiments, the elongate member is in the form of a ribbon-shapedelongate member that is wound into a spiral tubular structure. Theribbon-shaped elongate member may, for example, be in the form of asolid film or may comprise apertures (e.g., formed by forming holes in asolid film, formed by crossing fibers within a braided structure, etc.).

In some embodiments, the generally tubular scaffolds of the presentdisclosure comprise a scaffold material that includes a plurality ofparallel open hoops. In certain of these embodiments, the open hoops areribbon-shaped open hoops. The ribbon-shaped open hoops may, for example,be in the form of a solid film or may comprise apertures.

In some embodiments, the generally tubular scaffolds of the presentdisclosure comprise a scaffold material that includes a knittedstructure. In certain of these embodiments, the knitted structure maycomprise a single strand that can be pulled to unravel and remove thescaffold.

In some embodiments, the generally tubular scaffolds of the presentdisclosure may comprise a plurality of radially expandable insertswithin a generally tubular structure. In certain of these embodiments,each radially expandable insert may comprise a hub and a plurality ofradially expandable arms or may comprise a braided hoop, among otherpossibilities.

In some embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, a distal end of the generally tubularscaffolds may be configured to be captured by an additional device, andthe generally tubular scaffolds may be configured to be inverted andremoved by pulling the distal end into a lumen formed by the generallytubular scaffold.

In some embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the generally tubular scaffolds maycomprise a conformal coating, for example, formed from an elastomeric ornon-elastomeric coating material. For instance, the coating material maybe an elastomeric material that comprisespoly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (also referred to herein aspoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) and as poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone))with urethane crosslinks, urea crosslinks, or both urethane and ureacrosslinks; the coating material may be an elastomeric material thatcomprises diisocyanate-cured (e.g., hexamethylene diisocyanate-cured,etc.), hydroxyl-terminated branched poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone).The coating material may or may not comprise a therapeutic agent, forexample, selected from the therapeutic agents described elsewhereherein, among other possibilities. The coating material may coveralternating areas along a length of the generally tubular scaffolds,and/or the coating material may cover ends of the generally tubularscaffolds while not covering an area between the ends of generallytubular scaffolds, among many other possibilities. In the case ofbraided structures, the coating material may cover some nodes of thebraided structure while leaving other nodes uncovered. A thickness ofthe coating material at nodes of the braided structure may range, forexample, from 1 to 100 times a thickness of the coating material betweennodes of the braided structure (e.g., ranging anywhere from 1 to 2 to 5to 10 to 25 to 50 to 75 to 100 times a thickness of the coating materialbetween nodes of the braided structure).

In certain embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the scaffold may have a conformalcoating, which may be further coated with an additional conformalcoating that comprises an additional coating material and a therapeuticagent, for example, selected from the therapeutic agents describedelsewhere herein, among other possibilities. The additional conformalcoating may range, for example, from between 1 μm to 25 μm in thickness(e.g., ranging from 1 to 2 to 5 to 20 to 25 μm in thickness), amongother possibilities. In certain embodiments, the additional coatingmaterial may be a biodegradable polymer such aspoly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) or a mixture ofpoly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) and an additional polymer such as ahomopolymer or copolymer of lactide, for instance,poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (also referred to herein as poly(lacticacid-co-glycolic acid)). Where included, the additional polymer may bepresent, as a weight percent of the additional conformal coating, inamounts ranging, for example, from 5 to 50%. Thepoly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) may have, for example, a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 50 to 95% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 50 to 5%, among other possibilities. Wherepresent, the poly(lactide-co-glycolide) may have, for example, a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 50 to 99.9% and a molar percentage ofglycolide ranging from 50 to 0.1%, among other possibilities. In certainspecific embodiments, the additional conformal coating may comprise from50 to 99.9 wt % (e.g., from 50 to 60 to 70 to 80 to 90 to 95 to 99 to99.5 to 99.9 wt %) of one or more biodegradable polymers and from 0.1 to50 wt % (e.g., from 0.1 to 0.5 to 1 to 5 to 10 to 20 to 30 to 40 to 50wt %) mometasone furoate, among many other possibilities. Typicalamounts of mometasone furoate may range, for example, from 0.1 μg/mm² orless to 20 μg/mm² or more (i.e., ranging from 0.1 or less to 20 μg ormore of mometasone furoate per square mm of scaffold surface area, wherescaffold surface area, A, is calculated as A=nDL, where D is themanufactured diameter of the scaffold and L is the manufactured lengthof the scaffold), for example, ranging from 0.1 μg/mm² to 0.2 μg/mm² to0.5 μg/mm² to 1 μg/mm² to 2 μg/mm² to 5 μg/mm² to 10 μg/mm² to 15 μg/mm²to 20 μg/mm² (i.e., ranging between any two of the preceding numericalvalues), more typically ranging from 1 μg/mm² to 10 μg/mm², among otherpossible values.

In certain embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the scaffold may be further coated with aconformal topcoat layer, which is disposed over the additional conformalcoating that comprises an additional coating material and a therapeuticagent. The topcoat layer may be formed, for example, from a singlebiodegradable polymer or a blend of biodegradable polymers selected fromthose described elsewhere herein. In certain embodiments, the topcoatlayer may be formed from the same polymer or polymers found in theunderlying additional conformal coating, but will not contain atherapeutic agent. The topcoat layer may be employed, for example, todelay and/or slow release of the therapeutic agent in the underlyingadditional conformal coating. The topcoat layer may range, for example,from between 1 μm and 30 μm in thickness, among other possibilities.

In other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to methods oftreatment that comprises (a) introducing a scaffold, for example, ascaffold in accordance with any of the above aspects and embodiments,into a sinus cavity of a patient while in a radially constrained shapeand (b) removing a constraint that maintains the scaffold in theconstrained shape, such that the scaffold self-expands within the sinuscavity. Examples of sinus cavities suitable for device implantationinclude the ethmoid sinus, the middle meatus space, the frontal sinusostia (also referred to as the frontal recess), the maxillary sinusostia and the sphenoid sinus ostia, among others.

In still other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to kits thatcomprise (a) a scaffold, for example, a scaffold in accordance with anyof the above aspects and embodiments, (b) a delivery catheter and (c) anoptional loading aid. In certain embodiments, a scaffold in accordancewith any of the above aspects and embodiments may be loaded into a 15French delivery catheter or smaller, into a 9 French delivery catheteror smaller, into a 6 French delivery catheter or smaller, or even into a4 French delivery catheter or smaller. In certain embodiments, ascaffold in-accordance with any of the above aspects and embodiments maybe loaded into 6.5 french to 9 french catheter.

In some embodiments, the delivery catheter may be configured to maintainthe scaffold in a radially constrained shape and to remove a constraintthat maintains the scaffold in said radially constrained shape at adelivery location.

In some embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the delivery catheter may comprise anexpandable device. For example, the delivery catheter may be a ballooncatheter that comprises a catheter shaft having an inflation lumen andone or more inflatable balloons disposed at or near a distal end of acatheter shaft, which one or more inflatable balloons may or may not beat least partially coated with a therapeutic-agent-containing coating.

In still other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to deliverysystems that comprise (a) a scaffold, for example, as scaffold inaccordance with any of the above aspects and embodiments and (b) adelivery catheter, wherein the scaffold is positioned in a radiallyconstrained shape within the delivery catheter. Such delivery systemsmay be used, for example, in a method of treatment that comprises (a)introducing the scaffold into the sinus cavity of a patient while in theradially constrained shape, such that the scaffold is positioned at adelivery location in the sinus cavity and (b) removing a constraint thatmaintains the scaffold in the radially constrained shape, such that thescaffold self-expands within the sinus cavity.

In still other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to deliverysystems that comprise (a) a scaffold; for example, as scaffold inaccordance with any of the above aspects and embodiments and (b) adelivery catheter comprising an expandable device, wherein the scaffoldis be positioned on, in, under, proximal to, or distal to the expandabledevice. For example, the expandable device may be an expandable frame oran inflatable balloon. For instance, the delivery catheter may be aballoon catheter that comprises a catheter shaft having an inflationlumen and one or more inflatable balloons disposed at or near a distalend of a catheter shaft, which one or more inflatable balloons may ormay not be at least partially coated with a therapeutic-agent-containingcoating. Such delivery systems may be used, for example, in a method oftreatment that comprises (a) introducing the scaffold into the sinuscavity of a patient such that the scaffold is positioned at a deliverylocation in the sinus cavity and (b) expanding the expandable devicewhile the expandable device is positioned in the lumen of the scaffold.

In yet other aspects, the present disclosure pertains to methods offorming a coated scaffold comprising: (a) applying a first coatingsolution comprising a first solvent, a branched biodegradable polymerand a diisocyanate cross-linking agent to a scaffold in accordance withany of the above aspects and embodiments and (b) curing the appliedfirst coating solution at room temperature or at elevated temperature.

In certain embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the branched biodegradable polymer maybe, for example, a branched poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), forinstance, a branched hydroxyl terminatedpoly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone).

In certain embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the solution may further comprise a chainterminator.

For example, the chain terminator may be an alcohol, for example aC8-C18 alcohol, such as 1-dodecanol and stearyl alcohol, among manyother possibilities.

In certain embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the diisocyanate cross-linking agent maybe hexamethylene diisocyanate, among many other possibilities.

In certain embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the first solvent may comprisedichloromethane or ethyl acetate among many other possibilities. Incertain of these embodiments, the first solvent may further compriseanisole as a co-solvent.

In certain embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the scaffold may be a braided structurecomprising one or more strands of the scaffold material and a pluralityof nodes and the coating solution may be applied to at least the nodesof the scaffold.

In certain embodiments, which may be used in conjunction with any of theabove aspects and embodiments, the method may further comprise applyinga second coating solution comprising an additional biodegradable polymer(e.g., poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), among many other possibilities),a second solvent (e.g., comprising ethyl formate and anisole, among manyother possibilities), and a therapeutic agent to the scaffold afterapplying the first coating solution. The therapeutic agent may be asteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as mometasone furoate, among manyother possibilities.

Other aspects of the present disclosure pertain to coated scaffoldsformed by methods in accordance with any of the above aspects andembodiments.

Potential benefits of the present disclosure include one or more of thefollowing, in association with adult and pediatric procedures, amongothers: (a) stabilization of sinus openings/ostia, (b) reduction ofsynechiae and post-operative adhesions, (c) local and extendedtherapeutic agent delivery for therapy as an alternative to surgery (forexample, the treatment of patients that have failed medical managementbased on the administration of oral and/or topical steroids),preoperative and/or postoperative care, and (d) therapeutic agentdelivery to refractory patients not responsive to FESS, (e) preventionof stenosis of ostia/opening of sinuses following surgical dilation.

These and other aspects, embodiments and benefits of the presentdisclosure will become immediately apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art upon review of the detailed description and claims to follow.

Additional enumerated aspects of the present disclosure are set forth inthe following paragraphs:

Aspect 1. A scaffold configured for implantation in a sinus cavity, saidscaffold comprising a generally tubular structure having a lumen andcomprising a scaffold material and an optional conformal coatingcomprising a coating material that at least partially coats the scaffoldmaterial.

Aspect 2. The scaffold of aspect 1, wherein the scaffold comprises afiber-based structure.

Aspect 3. The scaffold of aspect 1, wherein the scaffold comprises abraided structure comprising one or more strands of the scaffoldmaterial.

Aspect 4. The scaffold of aspect 3, wherein the braided structurecomprises opposing sets of helical strands.

Aspect 5. The scaffold of aspect 4, wherein each set of helical strandscomprises between 2 and 64 members.

Aspect 6. The scaffold of aspect 3, wherein the braided structurecomprises a first strand of material having a first stiffness and asecond strand of material having a second stiffness that is greater thanthe first stiffness.

Aspect 7. The scaffold of aspect 6, wherein the second strand ofmaterial has a modulus of >5 GPa and which is at least 2 times that ofthe first strand of material.

Aspect 8. The scaffold of any of aspects 3-7, wherein the braidedstructure comprises cells of differing size.

Aspect 9. The scaffold of aspect 8, wherein a portion of the braidedstructure is removed such that cells of differing sizes are formed orwherein the braided structure is braided such that cells of differingsizes are formed.

Aspect 10. The scaffold of aspect 8, comprising first cells having afirst area and second cells having a second area, wherein first area isat least 50% greater than the second area.

Aspect 11. The scaffold of aspect 8, wherein a variation in cell sizeoccurs along a longitudinal length of the scaffold.

Aspect 12. The scaffold of aspect 8, wherein a variation in cell sizeoccurs around a circumference of the scaffold.

Aspect 13. The scaffold of any of aspects 3-12, further comprising alongitudinal elastomeric fiber that is mechanically coupled to two ormore nodes of the braided structure.

Aspect 14. The scaffold of any of aspects 3-13, where one or more endsof said one or more strands is woven back into the braided structure andbonded.

Aspect 15. The scaffold of any of aspects 3-14, wherein the scaffoldcomprises said conformal coating comprising a coating material.

Aspect 16. The scaffold of aspect 15, wherein the coating materialcomprises an elastomer.

Aspect 17. The scaffold of aspect 16, wherein the elastomer comprisesurethane crosslinks.

Aspect 18. The scaffold of any of aspects 15-17, wherein the coatingmaterial covers some nodes of the braided structure while leaving othernodes uncovered.

Aspect 19. The scaffold of any of aspects 15-18, wherein the coatingmaterial covers alternating areas along a length of the braidedstructure.

Aspect 20. The scaffold of any of aspects 15-18, wherein the coatingmaterial covers ends of the braided structure but not does not cover anarea between the ends of the braided structure.

Aspect 21. The scaffold of any of aspects 15-20, wherein a thickness ofthe coating material at nodes of the braided structure range from 1 to100 times a thickness of the coating material between nodes of thebraided structure.

Aspect 22. The scaffold of any of aspects 15-21, wherein the one or morestrands of the scaffold material comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide) andwherein the coating material is an elastomeric material that comprisespoly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) with urethane crosslinks, ureacrosslinks, or both urethane and urea crosslinks.

Aspect 23. The scaffold of any of aspects 15-21, wherein the one or morestrands of the scaffold material comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide) andwherein the coating material is an elastomeric material that comprisesdiisocyanate-cured, hydroxyl-terminated branchedpoly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect 24. The scaffold of aspect 23, wherein the hydroxyl-terminatedbranched poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) is cured with hexamethylenediisocyanate.

Aspect 25. The scaffold of any of aspects 15-21, 23 and 24, wherein thescaffold is further coated with an additional coating material thatcomprises from 50 to 99.9 wt % poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) and from0.1 to 50 wt % mometasone furoate.

Aspect 26. The scaffold of aspect 22, wherein the scaffold is furthercoated with an additional coating material that comprises from 50 to99.9 wt % poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone) and from 0.1 to 50 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect 27. The scaffold of aspect 3, wherein the braided structure is inthe form of a ribbon-shaped elongate member that is wound into a spiraltubular structure.

Aspect 28. The scaffold of aspect 1, wherein the scaffold comprises anelongate member that is wound into a spiral tubular structure.

Aspect 29. The scaffold of aspect 1, wherein the scaffold comprises aplurality of parallel open hoops.

Aspect 30. The scaffold of aspect 29, wherein the open hoops areribbon-shaped open hoops.

Aspect 31. The scaffold of aspect 30, wherein the ribbon-shaped openhoops have a plurality of apertures.

Aspect 32. The scaffold of aspect 31, wherein the plurality of aperturescreates a braid-like structure.

Aspect 33. The scaffold of aspect 1, wherein the generally tubularstructure is a knitted structure.

Aspect 34. The scaffold of aspect 33, wherein the knitted structurecomprises a single strand that can be pulled to unravel and remove thescaffold.

Aspect 35. The scaffold of aspect 1, comprising a plurality of radiallyexpandable inserts within the generally tubular structure.

Aspect 36. The scaffold of aspect 35, wherein the radially expandableinserts comprise a hub and a plurality of radially expandable arms orwherein the radially expandable inserts comprise a braided hoop.

Aspect 37. The scaffold of aspect 1, wherein a distal end of thescaffold is configured to be captured by an additional device andwherein the scaffold is configured to be inverted and removed from thesinus cavity by pulling the distal end into the lumen.

Aspect 38. A method of treatment comprising (a) introducing a scaffoldin accordance with any of aspects 1-37 into a sinus cavity of a patientwhile in a radially constrained shape and (b) removing a constraint thatmaintains the scaffold in said constrained shape, such that the scaffoldself-expands within the sinus cavity.

Aspect 39. The method of aspect 38, wherein the sinus cavity is theethmoid sinus, the middle meatus space, the frontal sinus ostia, themaxillary sinus ostia, the sphenoid sinus ostia, or the frontal sinusrecess.

Aspect 40. A kit comprising (a) a scaffold in accordance with any ofaspects 1-37, (b) a delivery catheter, and (c) an optional loading aid.

Aspect 41. The kit of aspect 40, wherein the delivery catheter isconfigured to maintain the scaffold in a radially constrained shape andto remove a constraint that maintains the scaffold in said radiallyconstrained shape at a delivery location.

Aspect 42. The kit of aspect 40, wherein the delivery catheter comprisesan expandable device.

Aspect 43. The kit of aspect 40, wherein the delivery catheter is aballoon catheter that comprises a catheter shaft having an inflationlumen and one or more inflatable balloons disposed at or near a distalend of a catheter shaft.

Aspect 44. The kit of aspect 43, wherein at least one of the one or moreinflatable balloons is at least partially coated with atherapeutic-agent-containing coating.

Aspect 45. A delivery system comprising (a) a scaffold in accordancewith any of aspects 1-37 and (b) a delivery catheter, wherein thescaffold is positioned in a radially constrained shape within thedelivery catheter.

Aspect 46. A method of treatment using the delivery system of aspect 45,comprising: (a) introducing the scaffold into the sinus cavity of apatient while in the radially constrained shape, such that the scaffoldis positioned at a delivery location in the sinus cavity and (b)removing a constraint that maintains the scaffold in the radiallyconstrained shape, such that the scaffold self-expands within the sinuscavity.

Aspect 47. A delivery system comprising (a) a scaffold in accordancewith any of aspects 1-37 and (b) a delivery catheter comprising anexpandable device, wherein the scaffold is positioned on, in, under,proximal to, or distal to the expandable device.

Aspect 48. The delivery system of aspect 47, wherein the expandabledevice is an inflatable balloon or an expandable frame.

Aspect 49. The delivery system of aspect 47, wherein the deliverycatheter is a balloon catheter that comprises a catheter shaft having aninflation lumen and one or more inflatable balloons disposed at or neara distal end of a catheter shaft.

Aspect 50. The delivery system of aspect 49, wherein at least one of theone or more inflatable balloons is at least partially coated with atherapeutic-agent-containing coating.

Aspect 51. A method of treatment using the delivery system of aspect 47,comprising: (a) introducing the scaffold into the sinus cavity of apatient such that the scaffold is positioned at a delivery location inthe sinus cavity and (b) expanding the expandable device while theexpandable device is positioned in the lumen of the scaffold.

Aspect 52. The method of aspect 51, wherein the expandable device is aballoon.

Aspect 53. A method of forming a coated scaffold comprising: (a)applying a first coating solution comprising a first solvent, a branchedbiodegradable polymer and a diisocyanate cross-linking agent to ascaffold and (b) curing the applied first coating solution at elevatedtemperature, wherein the scaffold is configured for implantation in asinus cavity and wherein the scaffold has a generally tubular structurehaving a lumen and comprising a scaffold material.

Aspect 54. The method of aspect 53, wherein the branched biodegradablepolymer is a branched hydroxyl terminated poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect 55. The method of any of aspects 53-54, wherein the scaffoldmaterial comprises poly(lactide-co-glycolide).

Aspect 56. The method of any of aspects 53-54, wherein the firstsolution further comprises a chain terminator.

Aspect 57. The method of aspect 56, wherein the diisocyanatecross-linking agent is hexamethylene diisocyanate, wherein the chainterminator is 1-dodecanol, or a combination of both.

Aspect 58. The method of any of aspects 53-57, wherein the first solventcomprises dichloromethane and, optionally, anisole.

Aspect 59. The method of any of aspects 53-57, wherein the first solventcomprises ethyl acetate.

Aspect 60. The method of aspect 58 or 59, wherein the scaffold is abraided structure comprising one or more strands of the scaffoldmaterial and a plurality of nodes and wherein the coating solution isapplied to at least the nodes of the scaffold.

Aspect 61. The method of any of aspects 53-57, wherein the methodfurther comprises applying a second coating solution comprising a secondsolvent, an additional biodegradable polymer and a therapeutic agent tothe scaffold after curing.

Aspect 62. The method of aspect 61, wherein the additional biodegradablepolymer is poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect 63. The method of any of aspects 61-62, wherein the therapeuticagent is a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Aspect 64. The method of any of aspects 61-62, wherein the therapeuticagent is mometasone furoate.

Aspect 65. The method of aspect 64, wherein the second solvent comprisesethyl formate and anisole.

Aspect 66. The method of any of aspects 61-65, wherein the first coatingsolution and the second coating solution are applied in a spray process.

Aspect 67. A scaffold formed by the method of any of aspects 53-66.

Aspect 68. The scaffold of any of aspects 1-37, wherein the scaffoldmaterial comprises a therapeutic agent.

Aspect 69. The scaffold of aspect 68, wherein the therapeutic agent is asteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Aspect 70. The scaffold of any of aspects 15-26, wherein the coatingmaterial comprises a therapeutic agent.

Aspect 71. The scaffold of aspect 70, wherein the therapeutic agent is asteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Aspect 72. The scaffold of any of aspects 15-26, further comprising anadditional conformal coating that comprises an additional coatingmaterial and a therapeutic agent.

Aspect 73. The scaffold of aspect 72, wherein the therapeutic agent is asteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Aspect A1. An expandable scaffold, wherein the scaffold is adapted to bedelivered to a sinus cavity of a human and self-expand to a first widthwithin the sinus cavity and wherein the scaffold is adapted to furtherexpand over time to a second width in vivo as the surrounding sinuscavity enlarges such that the scaffold remains in contact with the sinuscavity.

Aspect A2. The expandable scaffold of aspect A1, wherein the scaffold isadapted to be implanted into a human middle meatus.

Aspect A3. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A1-A2, wherein thesecond width is at least 125% of the first width.

Aspect A4. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A1-A2, wherein thesecond width is at least 150% of the first width.

Aspect A5. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A1-A4, wherein thescaffold is adapted to further expand to the second width over a periodof at least 6 weeks.

Aspect A6. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A1-A4, wherein thescaffold is adapted to further expand to the second width over a periodof at least 12 weeks.

Aspect A7. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A1-A6, wherein thescaffold comprises a plurality of braided polymeric strands thatcomprise a biodegradable polymer and a support coating over the braidedpolymeric strands that comprises a crosslinked biodegradable elastomer.

Aspect A8. The expandable scaffold of aspect A7, wherein thebiodegradable polymer comprises poly(lactide-co-glycolide).

Aspect A9. The expandable scaffold of aspect A7, wherein thebiodegradable polymer comprises poly(lactide-co-glycolide) havingbetween 80 mol % and 90 mol % lactic acid residues and between 10 mol %and 20 mol % glycolic acid residues and more particularly comprisespoly(lactide-co-glycolide) having between 82 mol % and 87 mol % lacticacid residues and between 13 mol % and 18 mol % glycolic acid residues.

Aspect A10. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A7-A9, wherein thesupport coating comprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect A11. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A7-A9, wherein thesupport coating comprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone)having a molar percentage of lactide ranging from 30% to 50% and a molarpercentage of caprolactone ranging from 50% to 70%, more particularly,having a molar percentage of lactide ranging from 35% to 45% and a molarpercentage of caprolactone ranging from 55% to 65%.

Aspect A12. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A7-A9, wherein thesupport coating comprises an isocyanate-crosslinkedpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect A13. The expandable scaffold of aspect A12, wherein topoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in the support coating is crosslinked withhexamethylene diisocyanate.

Aspect A14. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A7-A13, whereinthe expandable scaffold comprises a therapeutic-agent-containing layerover the support coating that comprises a therapeutic agent and abiodegradable polymer.

Aspect A15, The expandable scaffold of aspect A14, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone).

Aspect A16. The expandable scaffold of aspect A14, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and mometasone furoate.

Aspect A17. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A15-A16, whereinthe expandable scaffold further comprises a topcoat layer over thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer that comprises a blend of poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and polylactic acid (also referred to herein aspolylactide).

Aspect A18. The expandable scaffold of aspect A17, wherein thepoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60% to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20% to 40%.

Aspect A19. The expandable scaffold of aspect A17, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 65% to 75% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 25% to 35%.

Aspect A20. The expandable scaffold of aspect A17, wherein the blendcomprises from 60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from20 to 40 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect A21. The expandable scaffold of aspect A17, wherein the blendcomprises from 70 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from20 to 30 wt % polylactic acid, for example, from 73 to 77 wt %poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 23 to 27 wt % polylacticacid.

Aspect A22. The expandable scaffold of aspect A17, wherein thepoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60 to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20 to 40%, and wherein the blend comprisesfrom 60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 40wt % polylactic acid, for example, from 70 to 80 wt % poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 30 wt % polylactic acid, moreparticularly, from 73 to 77 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) andfrom 23 to 27 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect A23. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A14-A22, whereinthe therapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 5 wt % and 50wt % mometasone furoate.

Aspect A24. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A14-A22, whereinthe therapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 20 wt % and 40wt % mometasone furoate.

Aspect A25. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A17-A24, whereinthe therapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 20 μm inthickness and the topcoat layer ranges from 1 to 5 μm in thickness.

Aspect A26. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A17-A24, whereinthe therapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 16 μm inthickness and the topcoat layer ranges from 1.2 to 2 μm in thickness.

Aspect A27. A method of treatment comprising implanting an expandablescaffold in accordance with any of aspects A1-A26 into a human sinuscavity.

Aspect A28. The method of aspect A27, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 125% of the firstwidth.

Aspect A29. The method of aspect A27, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 150% of the firstwidth.

Aspect A30. The method of aspect A27, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 200% of the firstwidth.

Aspect A31. The method of any of aspects A27-A31, wherein the scaffoldfurther expands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinuscavity enlarges over a period of at least 6 weeks.

Aspect A32. The method of any of aspects A27-A31, wherein the scaffoldfurther expands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinuscavity enlarges over a period of at least 12 weeks.

Aspect A33. The method of any of aspects A27-A32, wherein the expandablescaffold is implanted into a human middle meatus.

Aspect A34. The method of aspect A33, wherein the native middle meatushas a width ranging from 2 to 5 mm at the time of scaffold delivery.

Aspect A35. The method of any of aspects A27-A34, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 5 to 25 mm at thetime of delivery.

Aspect A36. The method of any of aspects A27-A34, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 9 to 15 mm at thetime of delivery.

Aspect A37. The method of any of aspects A27-A34, wherein the expandablescaffold is selected from an expandable scaffold ranging from 5 to 8 mmin unconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandablescaffold ranging from 7 to 12 mm in unconstrained diameter at the timeof delivery, an expandable scaffold ranging from 10 to 15 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandable scaffoldranging from 13 to 20 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time ofdelivery, and an expandable scaffold ranging from 17 to 25 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery.

Aspect A38. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A1-A26, whereinthe expandable scaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 5 to25 mm at the time of delivery.

Aspect A39. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A1-A26, whereinthe expandable scaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 9 to15 mm at the time of delivery.

Aspect A40. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects A1-A26, whereinthe expandable scaffold is selected from an expandable scaffold rangingfrom 5 to 8 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, anexpandable scaffold ranging from 7 to 12 mm in unconstrained diameter atthe time of delivery, an expandable scaffold ranging from 10 to 15 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandable scaffoldranging from 13 to 20 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time ofdelivery, and an expandable scaffold ranging from 17 to 25 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery.

Aspect A41, the expandable scaffold of any of aspects A14 to A26,wherein the therapeutic agent is mometasone furoate, and wherein aquantity of mometasone furoate initially present in the scaffold perunit scaffold area ranges from 0.1 μg/mm² to 20 μg/mm².

Aspect B1. A method of treatment, comprising delivering an expandablescaffold comprising a therapeutic agent to a native middle meatus of ahuman patient.

Aspect B2. The method of aspect B1, wherein the native middle meatus hasa width ranging from 2 to 5 mm at the time of scaffold delivery.

Aspect B3. The method of any of aspects B1-B2, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 5 to 25 mm at thetime of delivery.

Aspect B4. The method of any of aspects B1-B2, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 9 to 15 mm at thetime of delivery.

Aspect B5. The method of any of aspects B1-B2, wherein the expandablescaffold is selected from an expandable scaffold ranging from 5 to 8 mmin unconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandablescaffold ranging from 7 to 12 mm in unconstrained diameter at the timeof delivery, an expandable scaffold ranging from 10 to 15 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandable scaffoldranging from 13 to 20 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time ofdelivery, and an expandable scaffold ranging from 17 to 25 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery.

Aspect B6. The method of any of aspects B1-B5, wherein the scaffoldcomprises a plurality of braided polymeric strands that comprise abiodegradable polymer and a support coating over the braided polymericstrands that comprises a crosslinked biodegradable elastomer.

Aspect B7. The method of aspect B6, wherein the biodegradable polymercomprises poly(lactide-co-glycolide).

Aspect B8. The method of aspect B6, wherein the biodegradable polymercomprises poly(lactide-co-glycolide) having between 80 mol % and 90 mol% lactic acid residues and between 10 mol % and 20 mol % glycolic acidresidues, more particularly, having between 82 mol % and 87 mol % lacticacid residues and between 13 mol % and 18 mol % glycolic acid residues.

Aspect B9. The method of any of aspects B6-B8, wherein the supportcoating comprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect B10. The method of any of aspects B6-88, wherein the supportcoating comprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) having amolar percentage of lactide ranging from 30% to 50% and a molarpercentage of caprolactone ranging from 50% to 70%, more particularly,having a molar percentage of lactide ranging from 35% to 45% and a molarpercentage of caprolactone ranging from 55% to 65%.

Aspect B11. The method of any of aspects B6-B10, wherein the supportcoating comprises isocyanate-crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect B12. The method of aspect B11, wherein topoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in the support coating is crosslinked withhexamethylene diisocyanate.

Aspect B13. The method of any of aspects B6-B12, wherein the expandablescaffold comprises a therapeutic-agent-containing layer over the supportcoating that comprises the therapeutic agent and a biodegradablepolymer.

Aspect B14, The method of aspect B13, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone).

Aspect B15. The method of aspect B13, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and mometasone furoate.

Aspect B16. The method of any of aspects B13-B15, wherein the expandablescaffold further comprising a topcoat layer over thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer that comprises a blend of poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and polylactic acid.

Aspect B17. The method of aspect B16, wherein thepoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60% to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20% to 40%.

Aspect B18. The method of aspect B16, wherein thepoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 65% to 75% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 25% to 35%.

Aspect B19. The method of any of aspects B16-B18, wherein the blendcomprises from 60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from20 to 40 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect B20. The method of any of aspects B16-B18, wherein the blendcomprises from 70 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from20 to 30 wt % polylactic acid, for example, from 73 to 77 wt %poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 23 to 27 wt % polylacticacid.

Aspect B21. The method of aspect B16, wherein thepoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60 to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20 to 40%, and wherein the blend comprisesfrom 60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 40wt % polylactic acid, for example, from 70 to 80 wt % poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 30 wt % polylactic acid, moreparticularly, from 73 to 77 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) andfrom 23 to 27 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect B22. The method of any of aspects B13-B21, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 5 wt % and 50 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect B23. The method of any of aspects B13-B21, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 20 wt % and 40 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect B24. The method of any of aspects B16-B23, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 20 μm in thicknessand the topcoat layer ranges from 1 to 5 μm in thickness.

Aspect B25. The method of any of aspects B16-B23, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 16 μm in thicknessand the topcoat layer ranges from 1.2 to 2 μm in thickness.

Aspect B26. The method of any of aspects B1-25, wherein the expandablescaffold is delivered to the native middle meatus using a 2 to 4 mmcatheter.

Aspect B27. The method of any of aspects B1-B25, wherein the expandablescaffold releases an effective amount of the therapeutic agent in thenative middle meatus for a period of at least 12 weeks.

Aspect B28. The method of any of aspects B1-B27, wherein the scaffoldself-expands to a first width within the sinus cavity upon delivery andwherein the scaffold expands over time to a second width in vivo as thesurrounding sinus cavity enlarges such that the scaffold remains incontact with the sinus cavity.

Aspect B29. The method of aspect B28, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 125% of the firstwidth.

Aspect B30. The method of aspect B28, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 150% of the firstwidth.

Aspect B31. The method of aspect B28, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 200% of the firstwidth.

Aspect B32. The method of any of aspects B28-30, wherein the scaffoldfurther expands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinuscavity enlarges over a period of at least 12 weeks.

Aspect B33. The method of any of aspects B1-B32, wherein the therapeuticagent is mometasone furoate, and wherein a quantity of mometasonefuroate initially present in the scaffold per unit scaffold area rangesfrom 0.1 μg/mm² to 20 μg/mm².

Aspect C1. An expandable scaffold adapted for delivery to a human sinuscomprising a tubular scaffold comprising a plurality of braidedpolymeric strands that comprise a biodegradable polymer and a supportcoating over the braided polymeric strands that comprises a crosslinkedbiodegradable elastomer, wherein after holding the tubular scaffold in a34° C., submerged in deionized water for 10 weeks in a compressed statebetween two parallel flat plates such that the axis of the tubularscaffold is parallel to the parallel flat plates and such that thetubular scaffold is compressed between the parallel flat plates to apoint where a first distance between the parallel flat plates is 15% ofthe initial unconstrained diameter such that the tubular scaffold has afirst minimum width measured perpendicular to the axis that is equal tothe first distance, and wherein after removal the tubular scaffold fromthe compressed state for six hours, the minimum width of the tubularscaffold recovers to a second minimum width measured perpendicular tothe axis that is at least 150% of the first minimum width.

Aspect C2. The expandable scaffold of aspect C1, wherein thebiodegradable polymer comprises poly(lactide-co-glycolide).

Aspect C3. The expandable scaffold of aspect C1, wherein biodegradablepolymer comprises poly(lactide-co-glycolide) having between 80 mol % and90 mol % lactic acid residues and between 10 mol % and 20 mol % glycolicacid residues, more particularly, having between 82 mol % and 87 mol %lactic acid residues and between 13 mol % and 18 mol % glycolic acidresidues.

Aspect C4. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects C1-C3, wherein thesupport coating comprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect C5. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects C1-C3, wherein thesupport coating comprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone)having a molar percentage of lactide ranging from 30% to 50% and a molarpercentage of caprolactone ranging from 50% to 70%, more particularly,having a molar percentage of lactide ranging from 35% to 45% and a molarpercentage of caprolactone ranging from 55% to 65%

Aspect C6. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects C1-05, wherein thesupport coating comprises isocyanate-crosslinkedpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect C7. The expandable scaffold of aspect C6, wherein topoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in the support coating is crosslinked withhexamethylene diisocyanate.

Aspect C8. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects C1-C7, wherein theexpandable scaffold comprises a therapeutic-agent-containing layer overthe support coating that comprises the therapeutic agent and abiodegradable polymer.

Aspect C9. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects C1-C8, wherein theexpandable scaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 5 to 25mm at the time of delivery.

Aspect C10. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects C1-C8, wherein theexpandable scaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 9 to 15mm at the time of delivery.

Aspect C11. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects C1-C8, wherein theexpandable scaffold is selected from an expandable scaffold ranging from5 to 8 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, anexpandable scaffold ranging from 7 to 12 mm in unconstrained diameter atthe time of delivery, an expandable scaffold ranging from 10 to 15 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandable scaffoldranging from 13 to 20 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time ofdelivery, and an expandable scaffold ranging from 17 to 25 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery.

C12. The expandable scaffold of aspects C8, wherein the therapeuticagent is mometasone furoate, and wherein a quantity of mometasonefuroate initially present in the scaffold per unit scaffold area rangesfrom 0.1 μg/mm² to 20 μg/mm².

Aspect D1. A method of treatment, comprising delivering an expandablescaffold comprising a therapeutic agent to a sinus cavity of a humanpatient and wherein the expandable scaffold releases the therapeuticagent for a period of at least 12 weeks after delivery.

Aspect D2. The method of aspect D1, wherein the therapeutic agent is ananti-inflammatory agent and wherein the amount of therapeutic agent isan amount effective to reduce inflammation in the sinus cavity.

Aspect D3. The method of any of aspects D1-D2, wherein the sinus cavityis a native middle meatus.

Aspect D4. The method of aspect D3, wherein the middle meatus has awidth ranging from 2-5 mm.

Aspect D5. The method of any of aspects D1-D4, wherein less than 15% ofthe therapeutic agent is released during the first week.

Aspect D6. The method of aspect D5, wherein 20 to 80% of the therapeuticagent is released during the first 12 weeks, more particularly, wherein30 to 70% of the therapeutic agent is released during the first 12weeks, even more particularly, wherein 40 to 60% of the therapeuticagent is released during the first 12 weeks.

Aspect D7. The method of any of aspects D1-D8, wherein the expandablescaffold comprises (a) a plurality of braided polymeric strands thatcomprise a biodegradable polymer and (b) a therapeutic-agent-containinglayer over the braided polymeric strands that comprises the therapeuticagent.

Aspect D8. The method of aspect D7, wherein the braided polymericstrands comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide).

Aspect D9. The method of aspect D7, wherein the braided polymericstrands comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide), having a molar percentageof lactide ranging from 80% to 90% and a molar percentage of glycolideranging from 10% to 20%, more particularly, having a molar percentage oflactide ranging from 82% to 87% and a molar percentage of glycolideranging from 13% to 18%.

Aspect D10, The method of any of aspects D7-D9, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone).

Aspect D11. The method of any of aspects D7-D9, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and mometasone furoate.

Aspect D12. The method of any of aspects D10-D11, wherein the expandablescaffold further comprising a topcoat layer over thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer that comprises a blend of poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and polylactic acid.

Aspect D13. The method of aspect D12, wherein thepoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60% to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20% to 40%.

Aspect D14. The method of aspect D12, wherein thepoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 65% to 75% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 25% to 35%.

Aspect D15. The method of any of aspects D12-D14, wherein the blendcomprises from 60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from20 to 40 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect D16. The method of any of aspects D12-D14, wherein the blendcomprises from 70 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from20 to 30 wt % polylactic acid, for example, from 73 to 77 wt %poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 23 to 27 wt % polylacticacid.

Aspect D17. The method of aspect D12, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60 to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20 to 40%, and wherein the blend comprisesfrom 60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 40wt % polylactic acid, for example, from 70 to 80 wt % poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 30 wt % polylactic acid, moreparticularly, from 73 to 77 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) andfrom 23 to 27 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect D18. The method of any of aspects D7-D17, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 5 wt % and 50 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect D19. The method of any of aspects D7-D17, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 20 wt % and 40 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect D20. The method of any of aspects D12-D19, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 20 μm in thicknessand the topcoat layer ranges from 1 to 5 μm in thickness.

Aspect D21. The method of any of aspects D12-D19, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 16 μm in thicknessand the topcoat layer ranges from 1.2 to 2 μm in thickness.

Aspect D22. The method of any of aspects D7-D21, wherein the expandablescaffold further comprises a support coating disposed over the braidedpolymeric strands and under the therapeutic-agent-containing layer.

Aspect D23. The method of aspect D22, wherein the support coatingcomprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect D24. The method of aspect D22, wherein the support coatingcomprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) having a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 30% to 50% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 50% to 70%, more particularly, having a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 35% to 45% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 55% to 65%.

Aspect D25. The method of any of aspects D22-D24, wherein the supportcoating comprises an isocyanate-crosslinkedpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect D26. The method of aspect D25, wherein topoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in the support coating is crosslinked withhexamethylene diisocyanate.

Aspect D27. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects D1-D26, whereinthe expandable scaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 5 to25 mm at the time of delivery.

Aspect D28. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects D1-D26, whereinthe expandable scaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 9 to15 mm at the time of delivery.

Aspect D29. The expandable scaffold of any of aspects D1-D26, whereinthe expandable scaffold is selected from an expandable scaffold rangingfrom 5 to 8 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, anexpandable scaffold ranging from 7 to 12 mm in unconstrained diameter atthe time of delivery, an expandable scaffold ranging from 10 to 15 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandable scaffoldranging from 13 to 20 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time ofdelivery, and an expandable scaffold ranging from 17 to 25 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery.

Aspect D30. The method of any of aspects D1-D29, wherein the scaffoldself-expands to a first width within the sinus cavity upon delivery andwherein the scaffold expands over time to a second width in vivo as thesurrounding sinus cavity enlarges such that the scaffold remains incontact with the sinus cavity.

Aspect D31. The method of aspect D30, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 125% of the firstwidth.

Aspect D32. The method of aspect D30, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 150% of the firstwidth.

Aspect D33. The method of aspect D30, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 200% of the firstwidth.

Aspect D34. The method of any of aspects D30-D33, wherein the scaffoldfurther expands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinuscavity enlarges over a period of at least 12 weeks.

Aspect D35. The method of any of aspects D1-D34, wherein the therapeuticagent is mometasone furoate, and wherein a quantity of mometasonefuroate initially present in the scaffold per unit scaffold area rangesfrom 0.1 μg/mm² to 20 μg/mm². Aspect E1. A method of treatment,comprising delivering an expandable scaffold comprising a therapeuticagent to a sinus cavity of a human patient, wherein the expandablescaffold releases the therapeutic agent for a period of 12 weeks orless.

Aspect E2. The method of aspect E1, wherein the expandable scaffoldreleases an effective amount of therapeutic agent for a period of 6weeks or less.

Aspect E3. The method of any of aspects E1-E2, wherein 10% to 30% of thetherapeutic agent is released during the first week.

Aspect E4. The method of any of aspects E1-E2, wherein 20% to 50% of thetherapeutic agent is released during the first two weeks.

Aspect E5. The method of any of aspects E1-E4, wherein the scaffoldself-expands to a first width within the sinus cavity upon delivery andwherein the scaffold expands over time to a second width in vivo as thesurrounding sinus cavity enlarges such that the scaffold remains incontact with the sinus cavity.

Aspect E6. The method of aspect E5, wherein the scaffold further expandsto the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavity enlarges andwherein the second width is at least 125% of the first width.

Aspect E7. The method of aspect E5, wherein the scaffold further expandsto the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavity enlarges andwherein the second width is at least 150% of the first width.

Aspect E8. The method of aspect E5, wherein the scaffold further expandsto the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavity enlarges andwherein the second width is at least 200% of the first width.

Aspect E9. The method of any of aspects E1-E8, wherein the expandablescaffold is implanted into a human middle meatus.

Aspect E10. The method of aspect E9, wherein the native middle meatushas a width ranging from 2 to 5 mm at the time of scaffold delivery.

Aspect E11. The method of any of aspects E1-E10, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 5 to 25 mm at thetime of delivery.

Aspect E12. The method of any of aspects E1-E10, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 9 to 15 mm at thetime of delivery.

Aspect E13. The method of any of aspects E1-E10, wherein the expandablescaffold is selected from an expandable scaffold ranging from 5 to 8 mmin unconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandablescaffold ranging from 7 to 12 mm in unconstrained diameter at the timeof delivery, an expandable scaffold ranging from 10 to 15 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandable scaffoldranging from 13 to 20 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time ofdelivery, and an expandable scaffold ranging from 17 to 25 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery.

Aspect E14. The method of any of aspects E1-E13, wherein the therapeuticagent is mometasone furoate, and wherein a quantity of mometasonefuroate initially present in the scaffold per unit scaffold area rangesfrom 0.1 μg/mm² to 20 μg/mm².

Aspect F1. A method of treatment, comprising delivering an expandablescaffold comprising a therapeutic agent is delivered to a sinus cavityof a human patient, wherein the expandable scaffold releases an amountof therapeutic agent for a period of at least 26 weeks, and wherein thetherapeutic agent is released in a substantially linear fashion.

Aspect F2. The method of aspect F1, wherein the therapeutic agent is ananti-inflammatory agent and wherein the amount of therapeutic agent isan amount effective to reduce inflammation in the sinus cavity.

Aspect F3. The method of any of aspects F1-F2, wherein the absolutequantity of therapeutic agent released into the human patient over anyone week period does not vary more than 33% between week 3 and week 26of implantation.

Aspect F4. The method of any of aspects F1-F3, wherein the expandablescaffold is delivered to a native middle meatus of a human patient.

Aspect F5. The method of any of aspects F1-F4, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 5 to 25 mm at thetime of delivery, more particularly, an unconstrained diameter rangingfrom 9 to 15 mm at the time of delivery.

Aspect F6. The method of any of aspects F1-F5, wherein the expandablescaffold is selected from an expandable scaffold ranging from 5 to 8 mmin unconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandablescaffold ranging from 7 to 12 mm in unconstrained diameter at the timeof delivery, an expandable scaffold ranging from 10 to 15 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandable scaffoldranging from 13 to 20 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time ofdelivery, and an expandable scaffold ranging from 17 to 25 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery.

Aspect F7. The method of any of aspects F1-F6, wherein the expandablescaffold comprises a plurality of braided polymeric strands thatcomprise a biodegradable polymer and a therapeutic-agent-containinglayer over braided polymeric strands that comprises a biodegradablepolymer and the therapeutic agent.

Aspect F8. The method of aspect F7, wherein the braided polymericstrands comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide).

Aspect F9. The method of aspect F7, wherein the braided polymericstrands comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide) having a molar percentage oflactide ranging from 82% to 87% and a molar percentage of glycolideranging from 13% to 18%.

Aspect F10, The method of any of aspects F7-F9, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone).

Aspect F11. The method of any of aspects F7-F9, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and mometasone furoate.

Aspect F12. The method of any of aspects F7-F11, wherein the expandablescaffold further comprising a topcoat layer over thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer that comprises a blend of poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and polylactic acid.

Aspect F13. The method of aspect F12, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60% to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20% to 40%.

Aspect F14. The method of aspect F12, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 65% to 75% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 25% to 35%.

Aspect F15. The method of aspect F12, wherein the blend comprises from60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 40 wt %polylactic acid.

Aspect F16. The method of aspect F12, wherein the blend comprises from70 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 30 wt %polylactic acid, for example, from 73 to 77 wt % poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and from 23 to 27 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect F17. The method of aspect F12, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60 to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20 to 40%, and wherein the blend comprisesfrom 60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 40wt % polylactic acid, for example, from 70 to 80 wt % poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 30 wt % polylactic acid, moreparticularly, from 73 to 77 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) andfrom 23 to 27 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect F18. The method of any of aspects F7-F17, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 5 wt % and 50 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect F19. The method of any of aspects F7-F17, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 20 wt % and 40 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect F20. The method of any of aspects F12-F19, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 20 μm in thicknessand the topcoat layer ranges from 1 to 5 μm in thickness.

Aspect F21. The method of any of aspects F12-F19, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 16 μm in thicknessand the topcoat layer ranges from 1.2 to 2 μm in thickness.

Aspect F22. The method of any of aspects F7-F21, wherein the expandablescaffold further comprises a support coating disposed over the braidedpolymeric strands and under the therapeutic-agent-containing layer.

Aspect F23. The method of aspect F22, wherein the support coatingcomprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect F24. The method of aspect F22, wherein the support coatingcomprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) having a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 30% to 50% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 50% to 70%.

Aspect F25. The method of aspect F22, wherein the support coatingcomprises an isocyanate-crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect F26. The method of aspect F25, wherein topoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in the support coating is crosslinked withhexamethylene diisocyanate.

Aspect F27. The method of any of aspects F1-F26, wherein the scaffoldself-expands to a first width within the sinus cavity upon delivery andwherein the scaffold expands over time to a second width in vivo as thesurrounding sinus cavity enlarges such that the scaffold remains incontact with the sinus cavity.

Aspect F28. The method of aspect F27, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 125% of the firstwidth.

Aspect F29. The method of aspect F27, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 150% of the firstwidth.

Aspect F30. The method of aspect F27, wherein the scaffold furtherexpands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinus cavityenlarges and wherein the second width is at least 200% of the firstwidth.

Aspect F31. The method of any of aspects F27-F30, wherein the scaffoldfurther expands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinuscavity enlarges over a period of at least 6 weeks.

Aspect F32. The method of any of aspects F27-F30, wherein the scaffoldfurther expands to the second width in vivo as the surrounding sinuscavity enlarges over a period of at least 26 weeks.

Aspect F33. The method of any of aspects F1-F32, wherein the therapeuticagent is mometasone furoate, and wherein a quantity of mometasonefuroate initially present in the scaffold per unit scaffold area rangesfrom 0.1 μg/mm² to 20 μg/mm².

Aspect G1. A method of treatment, comprising delivering an expandablescaffold comprising a therapeutic agent to a sinus cavity of a humanpatient, wherein the expandable scaffold is one for which, whensubmersed in a pH 7.4 PBS buffer solution containing 2% wt % SDS at 37°C. under gentle shaking on a rotary shaker and the buffer solution isremoved completely on a weekly basis as a sample for therapeutic agentquantification and replaced with fresh buffer, a quantity of therapeuticagent released in each sample, relative to a total amount of therapeuticagent originally in the scaffold, ranges from 1% to 10%, beginning withthe second week sample and extending up to the twelfth week sample. (Inother words, samples are taken at 1 week of submersion, at 2 weeks ofsubmersion, at 3 weeks of submersion, at 4 weeks of submersion, at 5weeks of submersion, at 6 weeks of submersion, at 7 weeks of submersion,at 8 weeks of submersion, at 9 weeks of submersion, at 10 weeks ofsubmersion, at 11 weeks of submersion and at 12 weeks of submersion, andthe quantity of therapeutic agent released in each sample, relative to atotal amount of therapeutic agent originally in the scaffold, within agiven week is calculated by dividing the quantified (i.e., measured)total amount of therapeutic agent released by the scaffold during thatweek by the total amount of therapeutic agent originally in thescaffold, and the calculated values for the samples taken at 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 weeks of submersion range from 1% to 10%.)

Aspect G2. The method of aspect G1, wherein the absolute quantity oftherapeutic agent released in each sample does not vary by more than 33%between any two samples, beginning with the second week sample andextending up to the twelfth week sample.

Aspect G3. The method of any of aspects G1-G2, wherein the quantity oftherapeutic agent released in each sample, relative to a total amount oftherapeutic agent originally in the scaffold, ranges from 5% to 9%,beginning with the second week sample and extending up to the twelfthweek sample.

Aspect G4. The method of any of aspects G1-G2, wherein the quantity oftherapeutic agent released in each sample, relative to a total amount oftherapeutic agent originally in the scaffold, ranges from 6% to 8%,beginning with the second week sample and extending up to the twelfthweek sample.

Aspect G5. The method of any of aspects G1-G4, wherein the therapeuticagent is mometasone furoate.

Aspect G6. The method of any of aspects G1-G5, wherein the expandablescaffold comprises (a) a plurality of braided polymeric strands thatcomprise a biodegradable polymer and (b) a therapeutic-agent-containinglayer over the braided polymeric strands that comprises the therapeuticagent.

Aspect G7. The method of aspect G6, wherein the braided polymericstrands comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide).

Aspect G8. The method of aspect G6, wherein the braided polymericstrands comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide) having a molar percentage oflactide ranging from 82% to 87% and a molar percentage of glycolideranging from 13% to 18%.

Aspect G9, The method of any of aspects G6-G8, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone).

Aspect G10. The method of any of aspects G6-G8, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and mometasone furoate.

Aspect G11. The method of any of aspects G6-G9, wherein the expandablescaffold further comprising a topcoat layer over thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer that comprises a blend of poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and polylactic acid.

Aspect G12. The method of aspect G11, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60% to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20% to 40%.

Aspect G13. The method of aspect G11, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 65% to 75% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 25% to 35%.

Aspect G14. The method of aspect G11, wherein the blend comprises from60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 40 wt %polylactic acid.

Aspect G15. The method of aspect G11, wherein the blend comprises from70 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 30 wt %polylactic acid, for example, from 73 to 77 wt % poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and from 23 to 27 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect G16. The method of aspect G11, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60 to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20 to 40%, and wherein the blend comprisesfrom 60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 40wt % polylactic acid, for example, from 70 to 80 wt % poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 30 wt % polylactic acid, moreparticularly, from 73 to 77 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) andfrom 23 to 27 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect G17. The method of any of aspects G6-G16, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 5 wt % and 50 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect G18. The method of any of aspects G6-G16, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 20 wt % and 40 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect G19. The method of any of aspects G6-G18, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 20 μm in thicknessand the topcoat layer ranges from 1 to 5 μm in thickness.

Aspect G20. The method of any of aspects G11-G18, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 16 μm in thicknessand the topcoat layer ranges from 1.2 to 2 μm in thickness.

Aspect G 21. The method of any of aspects G11-G20, wherein theexpandable scaffold further comprises a support coating disposed overthe braided polymeric strands and under the therapeutic-agent-containinglayer.

Aspect G22. The method of aspect G21, wherein the support coatingcomprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect G23. The method of aspect G21, wherein the support coatingcomprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) having a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 30% to 50% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 50% to 70%.

Aspect G24. The method of aspect G21, wherein the support coatingcomprises an isocyanate-crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect G25. The method of aspect G24, wherein topoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in the support coating is crosslinked withhexamethylene diisocyanate.

Aspect G26. The method of any of aspects G1-G25, wherein the scaffoldself-expands to a first width within the sinus cavity upon delivery andwherein the scaffold further expands over time to a second width in vivoas the surrounding sinus cavity enlarges such that the scaffold remainsin contact with the sinus cavity.

Aspect G27. The method of aspect G26, wherein the second width is atleast 125% of the first width.

Aspect G28. The method Aspect G26, wherein the second width is at least150% of the first width.

Aspect G29. The method of any of aspects G26-G28, wherein the scaffoldfurther expands to the second width over a period of at least 13 weeks.

Aspect G30. The method of any of aspects G26-G28, wherein the scaffoldfurther expands to the second width over a period of at least 26 weeks.

Aspect G31. The method of any of aspects G1-G30, wherein the scaffold isimplanted into a human middle meatus.

Aspect G33. The method of aspect G31, wherein the expandable scaffold isdelivered to the native middle meatus using a 2 to 4 mm catheter.

Aspect G34. The method of any of aspects G1-G33, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 5 to 25 mm at thetime of delivery.

Aspect G35. The method of any of aspects G1-G33, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 9 to 15 mm at thetime of delivery.

Aspect G36. The method of any of aspects G1-G33, wherein the expandablescaffold is selected from an expandable scaffold ranging from 5 to 8 mmin unconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandablescaffold ranging from 7 to 12 mm in unconstrained diameter at the timeof delivery, an expandable scaffold ranging from 10 to 15 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandable scaffoldranging from 13 to 20 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time ofdelivery, and an expandable scaffold ranging from 17 to 25 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery.

Aspect G37. The method of any of aspects G1-G36, wherein the therapeuticagent is mometasone furoate, and wherein a quantity of mometasonefuroate initially present in the scaffold per unit scaffold area rangesfrom 0.1 μg/mm² to 20 μg/mm².

Aspect H1. A method of treatment, comprising delivering an expandablescaffold comprising a therapeutic agent to a sinus cavity of a humanpatient, wherein the expandable scaffold is one for which, whensubmersed in a pH 7.4 PBS buffer solution containing 2% wt % SDS at 37°C. under gentle shaking on a rotary shaker and the buffer solution isremoved completely on a weekly basis as a sample for therapeutic agentquantification and replaced with fresh buffer, a quantity of therapeuticagent released per unit scaffold area in each sample, beginning with thesecond week sample and extending up to the twelfth week sample, rangesfrom 0.05 to 4 μg/mm²/week, where scaffold area is equal to nDL, where Dis the manufactured diameter of the scaffold and L is the manufacturedlength of the scaffold. (In other words, samples are taken at 1 week ofsubmersion, at 2 weeks of submersion, at 3 weeks of submersion, at 4weeks of submersion, at 5 weeks of submersion, at 6 weeks of submersion,at 7 weeks of submersion, at 8 weeks of submersion, at 9 weeks ofsubmersion, at 10 weeks of submersion, at 11 weeks of submersion and at12 weeks of submersion, and the quantity of therapeutic agent releasedper unit scaffold area within a given week is calculated by dividing thequantified (i.e., measured) total amount of therapeutic agent releasedby the scaffold into the sample by the scaffold area (i.e., nDL), andthe calculated values for the samples taken at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11 and 12 weeks of submersion are within the range of 0.05 to 4μg/mm²/week.)

Aspect H2. The method of aspect H1, wherein the quantity of therapeuticagent released per unit scaffold area in each sample, beginning with thesecond week sample and extending up to the twelfth week sample, rangesfrom 0.1 to 1 μg/mm²/week

Aspect H3. The method of any of aspects H1-H2, wherein the quantity oftherapeutic agent released per unit scaffold area in each sample,beginning with the second week sample and extending up to the twelfthweek sample, does not vary more than 33% between any to two samples.

Aspect H4. The method of any of aspects H1-H3, wherein the therapeuticagent is mometasone furoate.

Aspect H5. The method of any of aspects H1-H4, wherein the expandablescaffold comprises (a) a plurality of braided polymeric strands thatcomprise a biodegradable polymer and (b) a therapeutic-agent-containinglayer over the braided polymeric strands that comprises the therapeuticagent.

Aspect H6. The method of aspect H5, wherein the braided polymericstrands comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide).

Aspect H7. The method of aspect H5, wherein the braided polymericstrands comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide) having a molar percentage oflactide ranging from 80% to 90% and a molar percentage of glycolideranging from 10% to 20%.

Aspect H8. The method of aspect H5, wherein the braided polymericstrands comprise poly(lactide-co-glycolide) having a molar percentage oflactide ranging from 82% to 87% and a molar percentage of glycolideranging from 13% to 18%.

Aspect H9, The method of any of aspects H5-H8, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone).

Aspect H10. The method of any of aspects H5-H8, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and mometasone furoate.

Aspect H11. The method of any of aspects H5-H9, wherein the expandablescaffold further comprising a topcoat layer over thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer that comprises a blend of poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and polylactic acid.

Aspect H12. The method of aspect H11, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60% to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20% to 40%.

Aspect H13. The method of aspect H11, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 65% to 75% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 25% to 35%.

Aspect H14. The method of aspect H11, wherein the blend comprises from60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 40 wt %polylactic acid.

Aspect H15. The method of aspect H11, wherein the blend comprises from70 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 30 wt %polylactic acid, for example, from 73 to 77 wt % poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and from 23 to 27 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect H16. The method of aspect H11, whereinpoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in each of thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer and the topcoat layer has a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 60 to 80% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 20 to 40%, and wherein the blend comprisesfrom 60 to 80 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 40wt % polylactic acid, for example, from 70 to 80 wt % poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) and from 20 to 30 wt % polylactic acid, moreparticularly, from 73 to 77 wt % poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) andfrom 23 to 27 wt % polylactic acid.

Aspect H17. The method of any of aspects H5-H16, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 5 wt % and 50 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect H18. The method of any of aspects H6-H16, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer comprises between 20 wt % and 40 wt %mometasone furoate.

Aspect H19. The method of any of aspects H11-H18, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 20 μm in thicknessand the topcoat layer ranges from 1 to 5 μm in thickness.

Aspect H20. The method of any of aspects H11-H18, wherein thetherapeutic-agent-containing layer ranges from 10 to 16 μm in thicknessand the topcoat layer ranges from 1.2 to 2 μm in thickness.

Aspect H21. The method of any of aspects H5-H20, wherein the expandablescaffold further comprises a support coating disposed over the braidedpolymeric strands and under the therapeutic-agent-containing layer.

Aspect H22. The method of aspect H21, wherein the support coatingcomprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect H23. The method of aspect H21, wherein the support coatingcomprises crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) having a molarpercentage of lactide ranging from 30% to 50% and a molar percentage ofcaprolactone ranging from 50% to 70%.

Aspect H24. The method of aspect H21, wherein the support coatingcomprises an isocyanate-crosslinked poly(lactide-co-caprolactone).

Aspect H25. The method of aspect H24, wherein topoly(lactide-co-caprolactone) in the support coating is crosslinked withhexamethylene diisocyanate.

Aspect H26. The method of any of aspects H1-H25, wherein the scaffoldself-expands to a first width within the sinus cavity upon delivery andwherein the scaffold further expands over time to a second width in vivoas the surrounding sinus cavity enlarges such that the scaffold remainsin contact with the sinus cavity.

Aspect H27. The method of aspect H26, wherein the second width is atleast 125% of the first width.

Aspect H28. The method Aspect H26, wherein the second width is at least150% of the first width.

Aspect H29. The method of any of aspects H26-H28, wherein the scaffoldfurther expands to the second width over a period of at least 13 weeks.

Aspect H30. The method of any of aspects H26-H28, wherein the scaffoldfurther expands to the second width over a period of at least 26 weeks.

Aspect H31. The method of any of aspects H1-H30, wherein the scaffold isimplanted into a human middle meatus.

Aspect H33. The method of aspect H31, wherein the expandable scaffold isdelivered to the native middle meatus using a 2 to 4 mm catheter.

Aspect H34. The method of any of aspects H1-H33, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 5 to 25 mm at thetime of delivery.

Aspect H35. The method of any of aspects H1-H33, wherein the expandablescaffold has an unconstrained diameter ranging from 9 to 15 mm at thetime of delivery.

Aspect H36. The method of any of aspects H1-H33, wherein the expandablescaffold is selected from an expandable scaffold ranging from 5 to 8 mmin unconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandablescaffold ranging from 7 to 12 mm in unconstrained diameter at the timeof delivery, an expandable scaffold ranging from 10 to 15 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery, an expandable scaffoldranging from 13 to 20 mm in unconstrained diameter at the time ofdelivery, and an expandable scaffold ranging from 17 to 25 mm inunconstrained diameter at the time of delivery.

Aspect H37. The method of any of aspects H1-H36, wherein the therapeuticagent is mometasone furoate, and wherein a quantity of mometasonefuroate initially present in the scaffold per unit scaffold area rangesfrom 0.1 μg/mm² to 20 μg/mm².

Additional aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure arediscussed in the detailed description set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are described by wayof example with reference to the accompanying figures, which areschematic and not intended to necessarily be drawn to scale. In thefigures, each identical or nearly identical component illustrated istypically represented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, notevery component is labeled in every figure, nor is every component ofeach embodiment of the disclosure shown where illustration is notnecessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand thedisclosure. In the figures:

FIG. 1A schematically illustrates various fiber cross-sections, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B schematically illustrates multi-fiber filament cross-sections,in accordance with two embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a self-expanding scaffold, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a schematic side view of a self-expanding scaffold havinguniform braid angles, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3B is a schematic side view of a self-expanding scaffold havingvariable braid angles, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a self-expanding scaffold having anelastomer coating, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a self-expanding scaffold having anelastic cross-fiber, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6A is a schematic side view of a self-expanding scaffold havingfilaments of different stiffness, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a schematic side view of a self-expanding scaffold havingremoved filament segments, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 6C is a schematic side view of a self-expanding scaffold havingcoated ends, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6D is a schematic side view of a self-expanding scaffold havingalternating coated and uncoated sections, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of a self-expanding scaffold having unequal cellsizes, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a self-expanding scaffold havingfold-back ends, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a knitted scaffold, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a spiral-shapedself-expanding scaffold, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11A is a photograph of a spiral-shaped self-expanding scaffoldformed from a braided tubular scaffold, in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 11B is a photograph of a spiral-shaped self-expanding scaffoldformed from a two-carrier braid, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12A is a schematic perspective view of a self-expanding scaffoldhaving solid strut hoops, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12B is a schematic perspective view of a self-expanding scaffoldhaving strut hoops in the form of a two carrier braid design, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view of a conformal tube, in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14A is a schematic perspective view of a conformal tube with anassociated three-dimensional support structure in expanded form, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14B is a schematic end view of a conformal tube with an associatedthree-dimensional support structure in crimped form, in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of a scaffold in the form of a unitarypolymeric structure, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 16 is a photograph of an 8 mm diameter scaffold, a 10 mm diameterscaffold, a 20 mm diameter scaffold and a 31 mm diameter scaffold, eachwith 16 strands, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 17A is a graph illustrating cumulative absolute mass of mometasonefuroate (MF) released in the presence of poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) as the drug carrier polymer as a functionof time for three different drug loadings, in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17B is a graph illustrating cumulative percent mass of MF releasedin the presence of PLCL as the drug carrier polymer as a function oftime for the embodiments of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 is a graph illustrating cumulative percent mass of MF releasedin the presence of PLCL as the drug carrier polymer, with and without atopcoat comprising PLCL and PLA, as a function of time for one 400 μg MFscaffold with no topcoat and three 400 μg MF scaffolds with differenttopcoat thicknesses, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 19 is a graph illustrating cumulative percent mass of MF releasedin the presence of D,L-PLGA as the drug carrier polymer as a function oftime for 400 μg MF scaffolds containing three different types ofD,L-PLGA, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20A is a photograph of a 31.75 mm scaffold with 16 strands, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20B is a photograph of a coated node of a scaffold like that ofFIG. 20A.

FIG. 21 is a graph illustrating compressive load versus compressivestrain for a scaffold in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 22A-22E are photographs illustrating various scaffold designs, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 23A, FIG. 23B, FIG. 23C and FIG. 23D are photographs illustratingdeployment in a swine nasal cavity of a scaffold in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 is a photograph illustrating a scaffold in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure following deployment in a swinenasal cavity.

FIG. 25 is a photograph illustrating a 32 filament scaffold having adiameter of 13 mm diameter and a length of 10 mm, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure, following deployment in the nativemiddle meatus of a human cadaver.

FIG. 26 is a photograph illustrating a 16 filament, 10 mm scaffold inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure followingdeployment in the frontal sinus ostia of a human cadaver.

FIG. 27 is a photograph illustrating a 32 filament scaffold having adiameter of 17.5 mm and a length of 10 mm, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure, following deployment in theethmoid sinus of a human cadaver following FESS.

FIGS. 28A-28D are optical microscopic images of coated 8 mm scaffoldshaving 16 strands with and without anisole as a co-solvent duringspray-coating as follows: FIG. 28A, PLGA(10:90) scaffold without anisoleco-solvent; FIG. 28B, PLGA(10:90) scaffold with anisole co-solvent; FIG.28C, PLGA(75:25) scaffold without anisole co-solvent; FIG. 28DPLGA(75:25) with anisole co-solvent.

FIGS. 29A-29C show optical images of coated scaffolds with and withoutanisole as a co-solvent during spray-coating as follows: FIG. 29Ascaffold coated with 62 wt % elastomer relative to the weight of thebase braid from solution without anisole as a co-solvent; FIG. 29Bscaffold coated with 63 wt % elastomer from solution containing anisoleas a co-solvent; and FIG. 29C scaffold coated with 100 wt % elastomerfrom solution containing anisole as a co-solvent.

FIG. 30A illustrates cumulative absolute mass of MF released from threesets of MF-coated scaffolds as a function of time.

FIG. 30B illustrates cumulative percent mass of MF released from threesets of MF-coated scaffolds as a function of time.

FIG. 31 illustrates in vivo drug release profiles of MF-coatedPLGA(10:90) scaffolds and MF-coated PLGA(75:25) scaffolds.

FIG. 32 illustrates MF concentration in the sinus mucosa of sacrificedrabbits as a function of time post-implantation.

FIG. 33 illustrates total MF in vivo as a function of time (MF onscaffold plus MF in the sinus mucosa of scarified rabbits).

FIG. 34 illustrates cumulative percent mass of MF released from two setsof MF-coated scaffolds as a function of time.

FIG. 35 illustrates cumulative percent mass of MF released from foursets of MF-coated scaffolds as a function of time.

FIG. 36 A illustrates immediate recovery from a first amount ofcompression of two sets of MF-coated scaffolds with 90 and 128 braidangles, as a function of compression time.

FIG. 36 B illustrates immediate recovery from a second amount ofcompression of two sets of MF-coated scaffolds with 90 and 128 braidangles, as a function of compression time.

FIG. 37 A illustrates six hour recovery from a first amount ofcompression of two sets of MF-coated scaffolds with 90 and 128 braidangles, as a function of compression time.

FIG. 37 B illustrates six hour recovery from a second amount ofcompression of two sets of MF-coated scaffolds with 90 and 128 braidangles, as a function of compression time.

FIG. 38 is a schematic illustration of a testing apparatus forconducting compression testing, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 39 illustrates cumulative absolute mass of MF released from a setof MF-coated scaffolds as a function of time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The implantable medical devices of the present disclosure are generallytubular devices, which devices are self-expanding devices in variousembodiments. As used herein, “device,” “scaffold,” “stent”, “carrier”and “implant” may be used synonymously. Also as used herein,“self-expanding” is intended to include devices that are crimped to areduced delivery configuration for delivery into the body, andthereafter tend to expand to a larger suitable configuration oncereleased from the delivery configuration, either without the aid of anyadditional expansion devices or with the partial aid of balloon-assistedor similarly-assisted expansion. As used herein, “strength” and“stiffness” may be used synonymously to mean the resistance of themedical scaffolds of the present disclosure to deformation by radialforces or a force applied by the scaffolds against a static abuttingobject. Examples of strength and stiffness measurements, as used tocharacterize the medical scaffolds of the present disclosure, includeradial resistive force and chronic outward force, as further describedherein.

Scaffolds in accordance with the present disclosure are typicallytubular devices which may be of various sizes, including a variety ofdiameters and lengths, and which may be used for a variety of sinusapplications. In the case of objects of non-circular cross-section,“diameter” denotes width. In certain beneficial embodiments, theas-manufactured (or unconstrained) diameter of the scaffold may rangefrom 5 mm or less to 60 mm or more, for example, ranging from 5 mm to 10mm to 15 mm to 20 mm to 25 mm to 30 mm to 35 mm to 40 mm or 50 mm to 60mm (i.e., ranging between any two of the preceding numerical values),commonly ranging from 5 to 13 mm or from 15 to 30 mm. In certainbeneficial embodiments, the as-manufactured (or unconstrained) lengthmay range from 5 mm or less to 30 mm or more, for example, ranging from5 mm to 10 mm to 15 mm to 20 mm to 25 mm or 30 mm (i.e., ranging betweenany two of the preceding numerical values), commonly ranging from 10 mmto 20 mm.

In certain beneficial embodiments, scaffold mass may range from 1 to 20mg/mm of length.

Unless indicated otherwise, scaffold diameters and scaffold lengthsgiven herein refer to unconstrained (manufactured) diameters andlengths.

The many scaffold embodiments of the present disclosure areself-expanding in that they are manufactured at a first diameter,subsequently reduced or “crimped” to a second, reduced diameter forplacement within a delivery catheter, and self-expand towards the firstdiameter when extruded from the delivery catheter at an implantationsite. The first diameter may be at least 10% larger than the diameter ofthe bodily lumen into which it is implanted in some embodiments. Thescaffold may be designed to recover at least about 70%, at least about80%, at least about 90%, up to about 100% of its manufactured, firstdiameter, in some embodiments.

Scaffolds in accordance with the present disclosure are provided withexpansion and mechanical properties suitable to render the scaffoldseffective for its intended purpose in the sinus cavities. Two measuresof such mechanical properties that are used herein are “radial resistiveforce” (“RRF”) and “chronic outward force” (“COF”). RRF is the forcethat the scaffold applies in reaction to a crimping force, and COF isthe force that the scaffold applies against a static abutting surface.In certain embodiments, the scaffolds are configured to have arelatively high RRF to be able to hold open bodily lumens, cavities, andnasal features, and the like, yet have a relatively low COF so as toavoid applying possibly injurious forces against the walls of bodilylumens, optic nerve, brain, or the like. For example, the scaffolds ofthe present disclosure preferably expand to from 70 to 100% of theiras-manufactured configuration after being crimped, have an RRF rangingfrom 50 to 300 mmHg, and/or have an acute COF (at the time of deliveryinto a sinus cavity) ranging from 10 to 100 mmHg.

Scaffolds in accordance with the present disclosure may be formed from avariety of polymeric and non-polymeric materials. Scaffolds inaccordance with the present disclosure may be biodegradable ornon-biodegradable, or be a combination of both biodegradable andnon-biodegradable materials. Where biodegradable, the scaffolds may befully absorbed, for example, within as little as three weeks or less toas long as 52 weeks or more following placement within a sinus cavity ofa patient. In some embodiments, the generally tubular structures maybecome fully absorbed at some time after 12 weeks of placement andbefore 32 weeks of placement.

Biodegradable devices may also be eliminated though nasal irrigation inother embodiments, as opposed to absorption into nasal mucosa. Devicesmay also be designed such that discrete portion(s) resorb leading tobreakup into predetermined small pieces (typically <10 mm or moretypically <5 mm in longest dimension) that can be eliminated from thesinuses and nasal cavity through normal mucocilliary action, leading toswallowing or expulsion from the nose. In this way, the amount of acidicresorption byproducts (e.g., lactic acid, glycolic acid) which are incontact with the sinus or nasal cavity surfaces may be reduced. This canreduce irritation or inflammation of these and surrounding tissues.Additives of a basic nature may also be added to the devices in someembodiments to neutralize the acidic byproducts, which may reduce theinflammatory response associated with the same. Moreover, multiplematerials that bioresorb at different rates may also be combined in someembodiments to reduce the amount of material degrading at any one timeand hence the biological response.

In various embodiments, the implantable scaffolds may comprise agenerally tubular structure comprising scaffolding material. Scaffoldsin accordance with the present disclosure may be fiber-based ornon-fiber-based.

In various embodiments, the scaffolding material may be a biodegradablescaffolding material, typically, a biodegradable scaffolding materialthat comprises one or more biodegradable polymers. Non-limiting examplesof biodegradable polymers for forming the biodegradable scaffoldingmaterial include biodegradable polyesters, polycarbonates,polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyanhydrides, and polyorthoesters, non-limitingexamples of which include homopolymers of lactic acid (PLA),homopolymers glycolic acid (PGA), homopolymers of trimethylene carbonate(PTMC), homopolymers of caprolactone (PCL), homopolymers ofpolypropylene fumarate, and homopolymers of dioxanone (PDO), as well ascopolymers that comprise two or more of the preceding monomers, forexample, poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), poly(lacticacid-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) and poly(glycolic acid-co-caprolactone)(PGCL). Preferred copolymers include PLGA having a molar percentage oflactic acid ranging from 10 to 90% and a molar percentage of glycolicacid ranging from 90 to 10%, more typically lactic acid ranging from 10to 75% and a molar percentage of glycolic acid ranging from 90 to 25%;for example, PLGA 75:25 (mol/mol) or PLGA (10:90) (mol/mol) may beemployed in some embodiments. The composition of PLGA polymers withinthese ranges may be optimized to meet the mechanical property anddegradation requirements of the specific application for which thescaffold is used. In certain embodiments, the biodegradable scaffoldingmaterial may comprise a prodrug-based polymer, for example, polyaspirin,which can be used as a single-component or a subcomponent of thegenerally tubular structure to make scaffolds withdegradation-controlled therapeutic-agent-releasing capability.

In various embodiments, the scaffolding material may be anon-biodegradable scaffolding material, typically a non-biodegradablescaffolding material that comprises one or more non-biodegradablepolymers. Non-limiting examples of non-biodegradable polymers forforming the non-biodegradable scaffolding material include polyolefinssuch as polyethylene (HDPE and LDPE) and polypropylene, halogenatedpolyolefins such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and fluoropolymersincluding polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluoroalkoxy alkanes(PFAs), polyaromatics such as polystyrene, polyesters such aspolyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamides such as nylon, silicones,mucoadhesive materials and biostable polyurethanes (PU).

Scaffolds in accordance with the present disclosure may optionallycomprise a coating formed of a coating material that at least partiallycoats the scaffolding material.

Coatings may be applied for various purposes including mechanicalproperty enhancement, degradation control, and therapeutic agent releaseand control. Coatings may cover all or a portion of the scaffolds or, infiber-based techniques, all or a portion of the filaments or strandsforming the scaffolds. As used herein “strands” and “filaments” may beused interchangeably and include single fiber strands and filaments(also referred to as monofilaments) and multi-fiber strands andfilaments.

If a scaffold to be coated is a fiber-based structure, coatings may beapplied, for example, to individual strands prior to forming thescaffold or applied to the scaffold after the formation thereof. If thescaffold is a non-fiber-based structure, coatings may be applied, forexample, to a solid polymer tube or sheet either before or after theremoval of material using a suitable cutting technique such asmechanical or thermal cutting. Coatings may be created using anysuitable method, including spraying, electrospraying, rolling, dipping,chemical vapor deposition, electrospinning and/or coextrusion, amongothers. In some embodiments, coatings may include additional agents,such as therapeutic agents, as detailed further below.

In various embodiments, the coating material may be a biodegradable ornon-biodegradable coating material or a combination of both, typically,a biodegradable coating material that comprises one or morebiodegradable polymers or a non-biodegradable coating material thatcomprises one or more non-biodegradable polymers. Non-limiting examplesof biodegradable polymers for forming the biodegradable coating materialinclude the biodegradable polymers listed above. Non-limiting examplesof non-biodegradable polymers for forming the non-biodegradable coatingmaterial include the non-biodegradable polymers listed above.

In various embodiments, coatings are formed that comprise an elastomer.Potential benefits of such coatings include enhancement of mechanicalproperties. For example, coatings may be made from an elastomericpolymer that, due to its elastic nature when compressed or elongated,applies a force to scaffold that acts in favor of radial expansion, thusenhancing recoverability and/or radial stiffness, among otherproperties. An additional potential benefit of the elastomer may be toencapsulate the scaffold material (which may be a braid structure, amongothers), maintaining integrity and providing smooth, soft surfaces thatminimize irritation of tissue at contact points while providing goodconformability. In this regard, certain aspects of the designs describedherein, including those resulting from composite structures andcombinations of bioresorbable filaments and elastomeric coatings,provide properties that may not be achieved from other bioresorbablestent designs. Potential benefits include higher radial resistive forceand/or chronic outward force with lower amounts of polymer, lowerprofile (thickness of stent wall) and/or better conformability due tospring-like structures at each fiber crossover point, thereby enablingdelivery to the target location through smaller delivery systems orguide catheters and/or providing good apposition and conformability tothe target location with smaller as-fabricated stent diameter. Betterconformability may lead to more efficient drug delivery to the tissuebased as a result of improved tissue contact. Furthermore, betterconformability may facilitate manipulation of the implantpost-deployment by the surgeon to a desired position. For example, whenreadjusting one side of the implant, the opposite side of the implanthas a tendency to readjust its position unless it is well-contoured andadherent to the tissue.

Coating thickness for the elastomer coating may vary widely, withtypical coating thicknesses ranging, for example, from 5 to 50 μm, amongother thicknesses. Where a braided scaffold is coated, the elastomercoating may range, for example, between 30 and 150% by weight of thebraided scaffold substrate.

Elastomers include thermoset and thermoplastic elastomers. The thermosetor thermoplastic elastomer beneficially has a glass transitiontemperature (Tg) that is lower than room temperature (25° C.) and ismore beneficial when lower than 10° C. The thermoset elastomers mayprovide a high elongation to break with low permanent deformation undercyclic mechanical testing. Examples of elastomers include, for example,poly(glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PGCL) orpoly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL), includingpoly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) andpoly(D,L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone). In certain embodiments, the PLCLmay have a molar percentage of lactide ranging from 20 to 80% and amolar percentage of caprolactone ranging from 80 to 20%, more typically,a molar percentage of lactide ranging from 30 to 50% and a molarpercentage of caprolactone ranging from 50 to 70%.

In certain embodiments, the biodegradable coating material is athermoset elastomer formed from polymeric polyols including diols,triols, tetraols and/or higher alcohols. Such polymers may becrosslinked with a crosslinker that is a bi- or multi-functional smallmolecule or polymer. For example, crosslinks may be formed by reactingsuch polymers with bi- or multi-functional isocyanates, which may be inform of a small molecule or polymer.

In the event that the coating comprises a thermoset elastomer polymer,the crosslink density may be varied to yield desired mechanicalproperties. For example, optional chain terminators may be used inthermoset elastomeric materials such as polyester urethanes to controlcrosslink density. The chemical crosslink density is adjusted by usingsuch chain terminators to control the degree of crosslinking takingplace during the polyester-urethane curing. The crosslink density of theresultant elastomers depends on the concentration of chain terminatorsincorporated into the elastomeric network. Examples of suitable chainterminators include any suitable monofunctional compound such asmonofunctional isocyanates, alcohols, amines, acyl chlorides, andsulfonyl chlorides.

In certain embodiments, the thermoset elastomer comprises a polyesterpolyol, diisocyanate crosslinker and an optional chain terminator. Sucha thermoset elastomer may be prepared by a process that comprises thesteps of: at least partially dissolving a polyester polyol in a solventto form a solution; adding a diisocyanate crosslinker to said solution;optionally adding a chain terminator to said solution; coating saidsolution onto the scaffolding material; and curing said solution. Wheresolvent-based processing is employed, a less volatile co-solvent may beused to improve the node accumulation of thermoplastic elastomers duringthe coating process.

Non-limiting examples of suitable polyols for formingurethane-crosslinked elastomers include, for example, branched (3 armsor more) poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) andpoly(glycolide-co-caprolactone) (PGCL) polyols. Besides branchedpolymers, linear polymer diols may also be used to create an elasticcoating upon curing with isocyanates (e.g., hexamethylene diisocyanate)and other appropriate reagents. To reduce inflammation caused bymaterial degradation, poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) based polyolsmay also be used to create an elastic coating. Various catalysts,including but not limited to, Sn(Oct)₂, Zn(Oct)₂, dibutyl tin dilaurate(DBTL), 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), and1,8-diazabicycloundec-7-ene (DBU), may be used to facilitate the curingprocess.

In some embodiments, scaffolds and/or coatings may be fabricated using ashape-memory polymer that can change in size, shape, and/orconformability to mold to sinus anatomy. Non-limiting examples ofshape-memory polymers include segmented polyurethanes made ofoligolactide, oligocaprolactone, oligolactide-co-glycolide,oligo(trimethylene carbonate), or oligodioxanone coupled isocyanates andvarious chain extenders, (multi)block copolymers of lactide (glycolide)and caprolactone, dioxanone, or trimethylene carbonate, polymer blendsof polylactide and polyamide elastomers.

As previously indicated, scaffolds in accordance with the presentdisclosure may be fiber-based or non-fiber-based. In fiber-basedembodiments, polymeric materials may be first manufactured into fiberswith cross-sectional dimension ranging, for example, from 10 μm to 1000μm, more typically, 100 μm to 300 μm. Such fibers may be formed using anumber of technologies including, for example, extrusion or spinningtechnologies.

The shape of the cross-section of the fibers may vary widely. Referringto FIG. 1A, such cross-sections include fibers having roundcross-section 10, oval cross-section 12, and polygonal cross-section(e.g., triangular cross-section 14, quadrilateral cross-section 16, forinstance, in the shape of a rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, etc.,pentagonal cross-section, hexagonal cross-section 18, and so forth).Fiber cross-section may be varied by selecting a die of suitablecross-section for use during fiber manufacture.

Polymeric materials may also be formed into sheets, for example, througha suitable casting or extrusion process (e.g., solvent casting, meltcasting, solvent-based extrusion, melt extrusion, etc.) The sheets maythereafter be cut into fibers (e.g., fibers having a polygonalcross-section, for instance, in the shape of a triangle or aquadrilateral such as rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, etc.).

The strength of the fibers may be optimized in certain embodiments, forexample, by drawing at appropriate draw ratios or annealing atappropriate temperatures.

Strength and/or flexibility of the fibers may also be optimized bybraiding fibers of homogeneous or heterogeneous cross-section intomulti-fiber strands (e.g., fish-wire-type structures). The fibers thatare braided may be of the same composition or of different composition.Moreover, the fibers that are braided may be of the same diameter ordifferent diameter. Two embodiments are shown in FIG. 1B, whichillustrates (a) a cross-section of a multi-fiber strand 11 formed fromstrands of the same material and having the same diameter and (b) across-section of a multi-fiber strand 13 formed from strands ofdifferent composition and having different diameter.

Once the polymeric strands are prepared, fiber-based scaffolds may bemade thereof. For example, single-fiber strands and/or multi-fiberstrands of various shapes (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, amongothers) may be braided into a generally tubular structure. The strandsthat form the braids may vary widely in diameter, ranging, for example,from 10 to 1000 μm, among other possibilities. In certain embodiments,the materials forming the strands may have an elastic modulus within therange of about 1 GPa to about 10 GPa, and more preferably within therange of about 4-9 GPa.

To facilitate low-profile aspects of the present disclosure (e.g., thedelivery of the scaffolds into small diameter sinus cavities), incertain beneficial embodiments, the strands used in forming scaffoldsmay have a diameter ranging from 100 to 500 μm, more beneficiallyranging from 125 to 250 μm. The use of small diameter strands results ina scaffold with minimal wall thickness and the ability to collapse(i.e., to be crimped) within low diameter catheter delivery systems. Incertain embodiments, the diameters of strands may be chosen so as torender the scaffold deliverable from a 15 French delivery catheter orsmaller, from a 9 French delivery catheter or smaller, from a 6 Frenchdelivery catheter or smaller, or even from a 4 French delivery catheteror smaller.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a braided scaffold 100, whichcomprises at least one strand (e.g., a single-fiber or multi-fiberstrand) woven to form a substantially tubular configuration having alength 130, a width 131, and first and second ends 132, 133 along thelongitudinal dimension. For example, the tubular structure may comprisetwo sets of strands 110 and 120, with each set extending in an opposedhelical configuration along the longitudinal dimension of the scaffold.In certain embodiments, the number of helical strands forming thescaffold may range, for example, from 8 to 48 strands, among otherpossibilities. The sets of strands 110 and 120 cross each other at abraid angle 140. The braid angle 140 may range, for example, from about30 degrees or less to about 150 degrees or more, among other values, forexample, ranging anywhere from 30 degrees to 40 degrees to 50 degrees to60 degrees to 70 degrees to 80 degrees to 90 degrees to 100 degrees to110 degrees to 120 degrees to 130 degrees to 140 degrees to 150 degrees(i.e., ranging between any two of the preceding numerical values).Strands may be woven together using a variety of methods known in theart including, for example, various 1×1, 1×2 and 2×2 designs and may bewoven using particular known weave patterns such as Regular pattern “1wire, 2-over/2-under”, Diamond half load pattern “1 wire,1-over/1-under”, or Diamond pattern “2 wire, 1-over/1-under”.

Various factors contribute to the radial strength of scaffold 100,including the diameter(s) of the strands, the braid angle 140, thestrand material(s), and the number of strands used, among others.

Strands may cross each other at a braid angle which is constant or whichmay change around the circumference of the scaffold and/or along thelongitudinal dimension of the scaffold. FIG. 3A shows an embodiment inwhich a scaffold 100 has strands of constant braid angle, whereas FIG.3B shows an embodiment in which a scaffold 100 has strands of variablebraid angle. In the particular embodiment of FIG. 3B, a first region 100a having strands of a first braid angle transitions into a second region100 b having strands of a second braid angle that is less than the firstbraid angle. Various filament braiding patterns may be used tomanufacture such constructs.

Potential attributes of a design with variable braid angles include oneor more of the following, among others: (1) it allows for theorientation of segments with specific density for preferentialtherapeutic agent delivery; (2) it allows for tailored radial forcedepending on scaffold location; and (3) it may be used to provide atapered tubular design that is useful for non-cylindrical anatomy.

In general, the shape and diameter of a scaffold in accordance with thepresent disclosure may change along the length of the device. In certainembodiments, in a cylindrical design the diameter at the ends of thedevice may be larger than the diameter at the midpoint (e.g. a dumbbellor hourglass shape). For instance, the diameter at the ends of thedevice may be 1.5 times or more, even 2 times or more, than the diameterat the midpoint. As another example, the shape of the device may betriangular at one end and hexagonal at the other end.

Radial stiffness for braided scaffolds may be tailored by partially orcompletely locking various strand cross-over points (also referred to as“nodes”). Nodes may be partially or completely locked, for example, bywelding the strands at cross-over points, for instance, using heat(e.g., using a suitable laser such as a pico or femto laser), by using asuitable adhesive, by wrapping crossover points with a suitablefilament, or by coating cross-over points with a suitable material thatholds the filaments together, among other possible techniques. In someembodiments, elastomers may be coated onto the braids, for example,using procedures such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,137,396,8,540,765, and 8,992,601, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

Underlying braids, either with or without previously locked nodes, maybe subject to elastomer coating. One embodiment is illustrated in FIG.4, which shows a braided scaffold 100 that is completely coated with anelastomer 100 e. Varying the node accumulation of the coated elastomermay optimize both radial resistive force (RRF) and chronic outward force(COF) for this sinus cavity.

In alternative embodiments, scaffolds may be provided in which the nodesof the braided structure are connected using an elastic member such asan elastic filament or strand. One such embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 5, which shows a scaffold 100 in which an elastic strand 111 isattached to the braid 110 at various points along the length of thebraid 110. In these embodiments, the braid itself provides the frameworkto support the sinus cavity, while the elastic filament or strand 111 isprovided to enhance scaffold recovery during deployment. The elasticfilament or strand 111 may be, for example, woven into the scaffold 100during braiding process or introduced to the scaffold 100 after it isformed. In the latter case, the braid 110 forming the scaffold 100 maybe made from softer, non-elastic materials that conform to sinus wallsand have desired degradation profiles. The number of elastic filamentsor strands 111 used in a given scaffold 100 may be tailored to affordappropriate recovery and radial stiffness.

A conformable scaffold is desirable in various embodiments, as it may beused to improve apposition to contacted tissues, reduce damage to thecontacted tissue and, where a therapeutic agent is delivered, alsoincrease the therapeutic agent delivery efficacy due to increased tissuecontact.

Various strategies may be employed to increase conformability of thebraided scaffolds. For example, in some embodiments, some or all of thenodes of the braids may be partially locked or not locked at all toallow at least some filaments at least some freedom to slide over oneanother. In a constrained space, scaffolds with freely movable filamentswill have a tendency to better adapt to the geometry of the surroundingenvironment.

Alternatively or in addition, scaffolds may be braided from filaments ofdifferent stiffness (e.g., having a combination of higher and lowerstiffness). The stiffness of a given strand is determined, for example,by its inherent material properties, by its processing conditions, andby its dimension. One embodiment of this type of scaffold isschematically illustrated in FIG. 6A in which a scaffold 100 is shownthat is formed from strands of higher stiffness 112 and strands of lowerstiffness 113. In one specific embodiment, the strands of higherstiffness 112 may have an elastic modulus higher than 3 GPa and filamentdiameter greater than 100 μm, while the strands of lower stiffness 113may have an elastic modulus lower than 3 GPa and filament diameter lessthan 200 μm. Filaments with lower stiffness may provide a weaker pointin the scaffold to allow for deformation to comply with the sinuscavities, whereas filaments with higher stiffness may maintainmechanical integrity.

Conformability may also be improved by removing some of the strands fromwithin the braided structure. One embodiment of this type of scaffold isschematically illustrated in FIG. 6B in which a scaffold 100 is shown inwhich cells of varying size are formed. In particular, a scaffoldcontaining larger diamond shaped cells 114 and smaller diamond shapedcells 115 are shown. In some embodiments, a severed strand may bepartially or completely locked at a cross-over point nearest to thesevered tip of the strand.

In related embodiments, different sized cells are created during thecourse of the braiding process, for example, through selection of asuitable braiding pattern. One embodiment of a scaffold 100 havinglarger braided cells 114 and smaller braided cells 115 is shown in FIG.7.

Where cells of differing sizes are formed, the larger cells may have anarea ranging from 1.1 times to 10 or more times an area of the smallercells.

Potential advantages of scaffolds having a combination of larger andsmaller cells is that the larger cells may provide flexibility (e.g. forease of crimping and better conformability), whereas the smaller cellsmay maintain mechanical integrity.

Another route to create conformable scaffolds is to braid the scaffoldsusing a rigid rubber material such as carbon fiber reinforced silicone,polyacrylonitrile butadiene), and polystyrene butadiene) rubbers, amongothers. This results in completely elastic braids.

In some embodiments, a coating layer may be formed over all or a part ofthe scaffold structure. By employing a relatively non-elastic materialfor the coating layer (e.g., one formed using a relatively stiff polymersuch as D,L-PLGA), the stiffness of the scaffold may be improved.Moreover, where the implant is formed using braids that are inherentlyelastic and where the coating layer is a degradable layer, upondegradation of the degradable layer, the scaffold strands will haveincreased conformability.

Furthermore, the coating layer may be applied in a pattern in order totailor the conformability of the braided scaffolds. As one specificexample, FIG. 6C shows an embodiment of a scaffold 100 where coatedregions 116 are provided at each end of the scaffold 100 while anuncoated region 117 is provided at the center of the scaffold 100. Sucha design may be used to provide ends having enhanced stiffness, whichmay allow the device to be better anchored into the sinus cavities.Moreover, leaving the middle region of the scaffold 100 uncoated mayenhance the ability of the stent to comply with the shape of the sinuscavities at the time of implantation. As another specific example, FIG.6D shows an embodiment of a scaffold 100 where coated regions 116 anduncoated regions 117 are provided in an alternating pattern. Thepresence of uncoated regions 117 provides regions of increasedflexibility along the length of the scaffold, which may provide enhancedconformability to irregular surfaces such as those associated with thesinus cavities.

Regions of coated and uncoated material may be provided using varioustechniques. For instance, in some embodiments, a mask may be used in aspray coating process to create specific patterns of coated and uncoatedregions.

By masking a part of the tubular braids longitudinally during spraycoating, a U-shaped coating region (when viewed longitudinally) may becreated. In these scaffolds, the coated region is relatively stiff whilethe uncoated region is relatively soft. The coated region would providescaffold recoverability after deployment into sinus cavities. On theother hand, the soft uncoated region may readily deform to adapt theirregular surface of sinus cavities, affording optimized conformability.In one particular embodiment, such a scaffold may be useful to maintainpatency in select cases where an opening is made between the left andright paranasal sinuses.

In some embodiments, the scaffold may be cut longitudinally, allowingthe circumference of the scaffold to be readily resized to match thegeometry of sinus cavities upon deployment, which may provide bettercompliance and conformability.

To reduce potential tissue irritation or patient discomfort caused bysharp scaffold edges, the scaffold edges may be coated and/or braidedscaffolds may be made in which the end filaments are turned back towardthe center of the scaffold. For instance, the filament ends may be wovenback into the scaffold structure and bonded, for example, at the nodes.Bonding may be conducted using the techniques described hereinabove forbonding filaments at the nodes (e.g., by welding, application of asuitable adhesive, application of an elastomeric coating, etc.). Ascaffold 100 of this type is schematically illustrated in FIG. 8 inwhich the end filaments 118 are turned back toward the center of thescaffold 100.

To the extent that difficulty may be encountered when short scaffoldsare braided on large diameter mandrels (i.e., when forming scaffoldswith large diameter to length ratios), zig-zag strands, includingsingle- and multi-fiber strands, may be fabricated prior to braiding.The zig-zag strands may then be wound or looped around the mandrels,preferably in braided pattern. The ends of the filaments may then beattached, for example, using the techniques described hereinabove forbonding filaments at the nodes (e.g., by welding, application of asuitable adhesive, application of an elastomeric coating, etc.) tocomplete the braided structure. The size and shape of the final scaffoldmay be controlled by the turn angle, orientation and strut length of thezig-zag filaments. Such a braid may also have fold-back ends as depictedabove.

In certain embodiments, it is beneficial to provide sinus scaffolds witha capability of being readily removed if it is desired to do so. In thecase of a relatively soft braided scaffold, a tool with one or morehooks at the end may be used to capture a distal end of the implantedscaffold. Alternatively, the device could be removed by standardsurgical instruments available to ENT surgeons. Then, the braid may beinverted by pulling the end, and thus the exterior surface, into thelumen. In this way, the scaffold may be removed by peeling off the sinuswall, reducing additional abrasion, irritation, and damage to sinustissue.

Other scaffolds are based on non-braided structures or hybridbraided/non-braided structures.

For instance, in various embodiments, scaffolds are provided which areformed from woven or knitted strands. A scaffold 100 in the form of aknitted tube is illustrated in FIG. 9. Such a woven or knitted scaffoldmay provide the mechanical properties necessary to provide a stentingfunction, while also having enhanced compliance and conformability (aswell as facilitating therapeutic agent delivery in some embodiments). Inaddition, in the case of a knitted structure, one end of a single strandused to form the tube may be pulled to unravel the stent, enablingremoval of the scaffold, in some embodiments.

In various other embodiments, scaffolds may be in a spiral (e.g.,helical) form. In some of these embodiments, a spiral form may be formedfrom a single strand (e.g., a single- or multi-fiber strand). An exampleof such a scaffold 100 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 10.

In other of these embodiments, a spiral form may be formed frommulti-stranded constructs. Examples of multi-stranded constructsinclude, for example, substantially two-dimensional structures (e.g.,ribbon-shaped structures) which can be shaped into a spiral form. Twoembodiments of spiral-shaped scaffolds of this type are shown in FIG.11A and FIG. 11B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11A, a spiral shapedscaffold 100 is formed from a pre-existing tubular structure such as,for example, braided tubular structure (e.g., one of those previouslydescribed), which is subsequently cut into a spiral. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 11B, a scaffold 100 is formed by fashioning a previouslyformed substantially two-dimensional braid pattern 119 into a spiralstructure, for example, by placing the substantially two-dimensionalbraid pattern on a mandrel and annealing it for a time and at atemperature suitable to form the two-dimensional braid pattern into aspiral shape. Examples of such braid patterns include multi-carrierbraid patterns, such as a 2-carrier (shown in FIG. 11B), 3-carrier,4-carrier, etc. braid pattern.

It is noted that scaffolds analogous to the various braided structuresdescribed herein may be in the form of a unitary polymeric structure.The use of a unitary polymeric structure may provide a reduced profilewhen compared to the use of fiber-based techniques, which yield aminimum profile that is the sum of the widths of overlapping strands.One embodiment of such a structure is shown in FIG. 15, in which ascaffold 100 is illustrated and is characterized by a regular, repeatingpattern such as a lattice structure. When the scaffold 100 is a unitarypolymeric structure, it may be fabricated using a variety of suitabletechniques, such as by mechanical cutting or laser cutting a patterninto a solid polymer tube or a solid polymer ribbon

In various other embodiments, the scaffold may be in the form of an opencylinder. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the scaffold 100may be formed form a series of individual hoops 121 which are axiallyaligned with one another and connected at one end. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 12A, individual hoops 121 are solid hoops (e.g., in theform of a ribbon). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12B, individual hoops121 comprise cells, in particular, diamond-shaped cells analogous tothose formed with a 2-carrier braid. Benefits of these designs mayinclude one or more of the following, among others: the hoops arestraightforward to crimp to size; and upon delivery, the scaffoldunfurls to an expanded diameter. Because each hoop is allowed to expandto different widths, the scaffold may be more conformal in variablesized spaces.

In still other embodiments, a scaffold 100 may be in the form of apolymeric tube such as that shown in FIG. 13. Such a device isbeneficial, for example, in that it may conform to the sinus wall 200and, optionally release one or more therapeutic agents. The tube mayutilize materials such as the scaffold materials described above, amongothers, and include thermally-forged PCL, or PLCL with high caprolactonecontent, among many other possible materials.

In a related device design, a tubular conformal scaffold like that shownin FIG. 13 may be attached to a crimpable three-dimensional supportstructure which may assist the tubular scaffold in expansion and supportof the sinus. A specific example of such a device is shown in FIG. 14,which shows the tubular scaffold 110 attached to a crimpablethree-dimensional structure 122. The structure 122 is crimpable to allowfor minimally invasive delivery. Structures 122 may be provided at theends of the tubular scaffold 110, and if desired, at one or more pointsalong a length of the tubular scaffold 110. Examples of materialssuitable for forming the crimpable three-dimensional structure includedegradable or non-degradable elastomeric materials that can becompressed and recover from that deformation. In other embodiments,braided stent structures like those discussed hereinabove may be used ascrimpable three-dimensional structures.

Supplemental agents such as therapeutic agents and inactiverelease-controlling agents may be integrated into the various devicesdescribed herein.

Examples of therapeutic agents are any suitable agents having desiredbiological effects, including small molecule agents, biologics, cells,including stem cells, gene therapies and RNAi, among others. Specificexamples of therapeutic agents include: analgesic agents includingsimple analgesics such as aspirin and paracetamol, non-steroidalanti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen,celecoxib, ketoprofen, piroxicam and sulindac, and opioids such ascodeine tramadol, dextropropoxyphe, paracetamol, morphine, oxycodone andpethidine hydrochloride; anesthetic agents such as lidocaine,bupivacaine, and ropivacaine; statins such as atorvastatin,cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, mevastatin, pitavastatin,pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin; steroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs such as glucocorticoids, mometasone furoate, beclomethasonedipropionate, budesonide, ciclesonide, flunisolide, fluticasone furoate,fluticasone propionate, dexamethesone, cortisone, prednisone,methylprednisolone, triamcinolone acetonide, betamethasone,dexamethasone, prednisolone, corticosterone, estrogen, sulfasalazine,rosiglitazone, mycophenolic acid, and mesalamine; antihistaminesincluding H₁-receptor antagonists such as diphenhydramine, loratadine,fexofenadine, cyproheptadine, promethazine, desloratadine,chlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine and pyrilamine and H2-receptor antagonistssuch as cimetidine, famotidine, lafutidine, nizatidine, ranitidine,roxatidine and tiotidine; antimicrobial agents such as mupirocin,gentamycin and tobramycin; antibiotic agents such as penicillin,cefoxitin, oxacillin and tobramycin; endostatin, angiostatin andthymidine kinase inhibitors, and its analogs or derivatives;antileukotriene agents (e.g. monteleukast, zafirlukast, zileuton, etc.);antifungal agents; and probiotics, among many others.

Further examples of therapeutic agents may be selected fromanti-thrombogenic agents such as heparin, heparin derivatives,urokinase, and PPack (dextrophenylalanine proline argininechloromethylketone), enoxaparin, hirudin; anti-proliferative agents suchas angiopeptin, or monoclonal antibodies capable of blocking smoothmuscle cell proliferation, acetylsalicylic acid, paclitaxel, sirolimus,tacrolimus, everolimus, zotarolimus, vincristine, sprycel, amlodipineand doxazocin; immunosuppressants such as sirolimus, tacrolimus,everolimus, zotarolimus, and dexamethasone;antineoplastic/antiproliferative/anti-mitotic agents such as paclitaxel,5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, vinblastine, cladribine, vincristine,epothilones, methotrexate, azathioprine, halofuginone, adriamycin,actinomycin and mutamycin; anti-coagulants such as D-Phe-Pro-Argchloromethyl ketone, an RGD peptide-containing compound, heparin,antithrombin compounds, platelet receptor antagonists, anti-thrombinantibodies, anti-platelet receptor antibodies, aspirin (aspirin is alsoclassified as an analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drug),dipyridamole, hirudin, prostaglandin inhibitors, platelet inhibitors andantiplatelet agents such as trapidil or liprostin, tick antiplateletpeptides; DNA demethylating drugs such as 5-azacytidine, which is alsocategorized as a RNA or DNA metabolite that inhibit cell growth andinduce apoptosis in certain cancer cells; vascular cell growth promotorssuch as growth factors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (VEGF, alltypes including VEGF-2), growth factor receptors, transcriptionalactivators, and translational promotors; vascular cell growth inhibitorssuch as antiproliferative agents, growth factor inhibitors, growthfactor receptor antagonists, transcriptional repressors, translationalrepressors, replication inhibitors, inhibitory antibodies, antibodiesdirected against growth factors, bifunctional molecules consisting of agrowth factor and a cytotoxin, bifunctional molecules consisting of anantibody and a cytotoxin; cholesterol-lowering agents; vasodilatingagents; and agents which interfere with endogenous vasoactivemechanisms; anti-oxidants, such as probucol; angiogenic substances, suchas acidic and basic fibrobrast growth factors, estrogen includingestradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and 17-Beta Estradiol; drugs for heartfailure, such as digoxin, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitors including captopril and enalopril, statins and relatedcompounds; macrolides such as sirolimus and everolimus; and agents thathave a primary mechanism of action of inhibiting extracellular matrixremodeling, and a secondary mechanism of action of inhibiting cellproliferation such as 5-fluorouracil, doxycyclin, carvedilol, curcumin,and tranilast.

Other therapeutic agents include bacteria or other microflora that maybe beneficial to re-establishing a healthy microbiome in the nasalcavity and sinuses as well as agents or nutrients that may promote ahealthy microbiome.

Inactive release-controlling agents may also be included to enhancecontrol over the therapeutic agent release kinetics. Examples ofinactive release-controlling agents include soluble polymers such aspolyethylene glycol (PEG) (also known as polyethylene oxide, PEO),PEG-vinyl alcohol copolymers, polyacrylate and polymethacrylate esterscontaining cationic and anionic functionality, polyvinyl pyrrolidone,and dextran, as well as small molecule additives such as cyclodextrin orcitrate esters such as acetyltributyl citrate (ATBC) or acetyltriethylcitrate (ATEC).

In embodiments where the scaffold delivers one or more therapeuticagents at the site of implantation, the therapeutic agent(s) may beprovided in the device for delivery therefrom in a number of ways.

For example, the therapeutic agent may be directly embedded within apolymeric construct (e.g., filaments, sheets, solid tubes, etc.) that issubsequently used to form a generally tubular scaffold as describedherein. In one embodiment, therapeutic agent and polymer(s) aredissolved in an appropriate solvent to make a homogenous solution or asuspension, or therapeutic agent and polymer(s) are heated to form apolymer melt containing the therapeutic agent. The solution, suspensionor melt is then subjected to suitable solvent-based or melt-basedprocessing such as extrusion, wet spinning, dry spinning, melt spinning,electrospinning or other process to afford therapeutic-agent-loadedpolymeric constructs (e.g., filaments, sheets, tubes, etc.) withembedded therapeutic agents. In some embodiments, a polymeric regionthat does not contain a therapeutic agent (e.g., a polymer core) iscoextruded with a therapeutic-agent-loaded polymeric coating to formtherapeutic-agent-loaded polymeric constructs.

In some embodiments, therapeutic-agent-loaded polymeric constructs maythen be subsequently processed into additional forms that aresubsequently used to form generally tubular scaffolds as describedherein. As a specific example, a solvent-cast therapeutic-agent-loadedpolymeric construct in the form of a sheet may be made by controlledevaporation of a solution of a therapeutic agent and one or more carrierpolymers. After removal of the solvent(s), the therapeutic-agent-loadedpolymer sheet may be laser cut into therapeutic-agent-loaded polymericconstructs in the form of flat filaments for braid manufacture.

In some embodiments, the therapeutic agent may be applied onto apre-formed construct (e.g., a filament, a sheet, or a tube, including apre-formed device scaffold) in the presence or absence of a carriermaterial (e.g., a polymeric coating material such as those describedabove) using a suitable application technique such as spray-coating,dip-coating, rolling or vapor deposition, among others. The therapeuticagent releasing profile may be tailored, for example, by the thicknessof the coating layer, by the addition of inactive ingredients and, wherea polymer is provided as a carrier, changing the carrier polymer (e.g.changing the composition and/or molecular weight of the polymer) and/orthe therapeutic-agent-to-polymer ratio.

A topcoat of a therapeutic-agent-free polymer layer may also be employedto regulate the delivery of the therapeutic agent from the device intobodily tissue. In embodiments pertaining non-biodegradable topcoats, thetopcoat may act as a diffusion barrier such that the rate of delivery ofthe therapeutic agent(s) is limited by the rate of its diffusion throughthe topcoat. In some embodiments pertaining to biodegradable topcoats,the topcoat may also act as a diffusion barrier such that the rate ofdelivery of the therapeutic agent(s) is limited by the rate of itsdiffusion through the topcoat. In other embodiments pertaining tobiodegradable topcoats, the therapeutic agent(s) cannot diffuse throughthe topcoat, such that delivery thereof is simply delayed until thedegradation of the topcoat is complete.

Electrospinning provides another potential method to introducetherapeutic agent onto a pre-formed construct. In one embodiment, afiber-based or non-fiber-based scaffold may be covered by an electrospunfiber mesh, such as a core-sheath fiber mesh. During electrospinning,the therapeutic agent may be either dissolved or suspended in a corepolymer solution. The therapeutic agent release profiles may be tuned byadjusting the therapeutic agent loading, the particulate size of thetherapeutic agent (where a suspension is employed), the types ofpolymers used to form the core and sheath, respectively, as well as thethickness of the sheath.

In other embodiments, core-sheath fibers are first fabricated throughcoaxial electrospinning of a core polymer solution or suspension withtherapeutic agent and a sheath polymer solution. Thetherapeutic-agent-loaded fibers may be further braided onto amulti-fiber strand that will be used to manufacture devices. Forexample, a fish-wire-shaped composite strand may be formed andthereafter fabricated into a braided scaffold as described previously.In these designs, the therapeutic agent release may be dictated by theelectrospun fibers.

In some embodiments, biologically active agents such as proteins and/orpolysaccharides may be incorporated into electrospun fibers.

In some embodiments, the devices described herein can be used inconjunction with sinuplasty. For example, scaffolds such as thosedescribed herein can be deployed into the sinus cavities with theassistance of an expandable device such as an expandable frame (e.g., anexpandable wire frame) or a balloon, among other possibilities. In suchembodiments, a scaffold in accordance with the present disclosure may bepositioned on, in, under, proximal to, or distal to the expandabledevice, either at a manufacturing site or by a healthcare professionalat the time of delivery. The expandable device may be a drug-elutingdevice (e.g., via a drug-containing coating disposed on the expandabledevice) or a non-drug-eluting device. Examples of therapeutic agentswhich may be released by a drug-eluting device are described above.

Thus, in the case of a balloon, the balloon may be coated or uncoated,and a scaffold in accordance with the present disclosure may bepositioned on, in, under, proximal to, or distal to a balloon cathetersuitable for sinuplasty, either at a manufacturing site or by ahealthcare professional at the time of delivery. The catheter mayinclude an inflatable balloon assembly disposed at or near a distal endof a catheter shaft that comprises an inflation lumen for the balloon.In an uninflated state, the balloon assembly does not significantlyincrease the overall width of the distal end of the catheter. Thisallows the distal portion of the catheter to be inserted into a patientand guided to a desired treatment site in the patient's sinuses. Once atthe treatment site, the balloon assembly is inflated to position thescaffold against the sinus wall proximate to the treatment site. Theballoon assembly can include any number of individual balloons in anumber of configurations, depending upon the treatment site.Additionally, the sinuplasty may be completed before delivery of thescaffold, after delivery of the scaffold, simultaneously with deliveryof the scaffold, or any combination of perioperative proceduralsequences.

In some embodiments, the devices described herein can be used as anadjunctive therapy. For instance, scaffolds such as those describedherein can be deployed into the sinus cavities using atherapeutic-agent-eluting delivery device such as, for example, atherapeutic-agent-eluting balloon. Alternatively, scaffolds can bedeployed into the sinus cavities, after the cavities have been treatedwith a therapeutic-agent-releasing spray such as a hydrogel spray, orirrigation liquid that contains one of the therapeutic agents previouslydescribed in this disclosure.

The scaffolds of the present disclosure may be radiopaque such that theyare visible using conventional fluoroscopic techniques. In oneembodiment, radiopaque additives are included within the polymermaterial of the scaffold and/or its coating, where present. Examples ofsuitable radiopaque additives include particles comprising iodine,bromine, barium sulfate, platinum, iridium, tantalum, and/or palladium.In another embodiment, the radiopaque groups, such as iodine, areintroduced onto the polymer backbone. In yet another embodiment, one ormore biostable or biodegradable radiopaque markers, for example,comprising platinum, iridium, tantalum, and/or palladium may be producedin the form of a tube, coil, wire, sphere, or disk, which is then placedat the ends of the scaffold or at other predetermined locations thereon.

To facilitate delivery, the scaffold may be loaded into a deliverycatheter just prior to being implanted into a patient. Loading thescaffold in close temporal proximity to implantation avoids thepossibility that the polymer of the scaffold will relax during shipping,storage, and the like within the delivery catheter. One aspect of thedisclosure thus includes a method of delivering a scaffold of thedisclosure that comprises a step of loading the scaffold into a deliverycatheter within a short period of time, for example, within one hour,before implantation into a body lumen. It should be noted, however, thatit is not required that the scaffolds of the present disclosure areloaded into delivery catheters just prior to being implanted.

In certain embodiments, scaffolds may be provided which are suitable forimplantation into the vacated space that is formed during anethmoidectomy, among other uses (e.g., using a 6 mm catheter, amongother devices). Such scaffolds may range, for instance, from 10 to 30 mmin diameter, more particularly, from 15 to 20 mm in diameter, amongother possible values. Such scaffolds may range, for instance, from 5 to20 mm in length, more particularly, from 8 to 12 mm in length, amongother possible values. In certain beneficial embodiments, the scaffoldscomprises a braided scaffold material, which may comprise, for example,from 8 to 64 braiding strands, more particularly, from 16 to 32 braidingstrands, among other possible values. In certain beneficial embodiments,braid angle may vary, for instance, from 30 to 150 degrees, moreparticularly, from 60 to 130 degrees, among other possible values. Incertain beneficial embodiments, diameter of the strands that form thebraids may vary from 50 to 500 μm, more particularly, from 150 to 300μm, among other possible values. In certain beneficial embodiments,scaffold mass may range, for instance, from 1 to 20 mg/mm of length,more particularly, from 2 to 10 mg/mm, among other possible values. Incertain beneficial embodiments, scaffolds have a % diameter recovery ofat least 85% after being compressed to a diameter of that is 30% of theunconstrained diameter for 10 minutes. Where drug is released, innon-refractory patients the drug may be released over a period of 3 to 6weeks, among other values, whereas in refractory patients the drug maybe released over a period of 8 to 26 weeks, among other values

In certain embodiments, scaffolds may be provided which are suitable forimplantation into the middle meatus space, among other uses (e.g., usinga 3-4 mm delivery catheter, among other possible devices). Suchscaffolds may range, for instance, from 5 to 20 mm in diameter, moreparticularly, from 10 to 15 mm in diameter, among other possible values.Such scaffolds may range, for instance, from 5 to 20 mm in length, moreparticularly, from 8 to 12 mm in length, among other possible values. Incertain beneficial embodiments, the scaffolds comprises a braidedscaffold material, which may comprise, for example, from 8 to 64braiding strands, more particularly, from 16 to 32 braiding strands,among other possible values. In certain beneficial embodiments, braidangle may vary, for instance, from 30 to 150 degrees, more particularly,from 60 to 130 degrees, among other possible values. In certainbeneficial embodiments, diameter of the strands that form the braids mayvary from 100 to 500 μm, more particularly, from 150 to 300 μm, amongother possible values. In certain beneficial embodiments, scaffold massmay range, for instance, from 1 to 20 mg/mm of length, moreparticularly, from 2 to 10 mg/mm of length, among other possible values.In certain beneficial embodiments, scaffolds have a % diameter recoveryof at least 85% after being compressed to a diameter of that is 30% ofthe unconstrained diameter for 10 minutes. In certain beneficialembodiments, scaffolds have a RRF ranging from 30 to 500 mmHg upon beingmeasured in an MSI radial force tester at a diameter less than themanufactured diameter, among other possible values. In certainbeneficial embodiments, scaffolds have an acute COF ranging from 5 to100 mmHg upon being measured in an MSI radial force tester at a diameterless than the manufactured diameter, among other possible values. Wheredrug is released, it may be released over a period of 8 to 26 weeks,among other values.

In certain embodiments, scaffolds may be provided which are suitable forimplantation into the sinus ostia, among other uses (frontal, maxillary,or sphenoid) or the frontal sinus recess (e.g., using a 3-4 mm deliverycatheter, among other possible devices). Such scaffolds may range, forinstance, from 4 to 20 mm in diameter, more particularly, from 6 to 10mm in diameter, among other possible values. Such scaffolds may range,for instance, from 5 to 20 mm in length, more particularly, from 6 to 12mm in length, among other possible values. In certain beneficialembodiments, the scaffolds comprise a braided scaffold material, whichmay comprise, for example, from 8 to 64 braiding strands, moreparticularly, from 16 to 32 braiding strands, among other possiblevalues. In certain beneficial embodiments, braid angle may vary, forinstance, from 30 to 150 degrees, more particularly, from 60 to 130degrees, among other possible values. In certain beneficial embodiments,diameter of the strands that form the braids may vary from 100 to 500μm, more particularly, from 150 to 300 μm, among other possible values.In certain beneficial embodiments, scaffold mass may range, forinstance, from 1 to 20 mg/mm of length, more particularly, from 2 to 10mg/mm, among other possible values. In certain beneficial embodiments,scaffolds have a % diameter recovery of at least 85% after beingcompressed to a diameter of that is 30% of the unconstrained diameterfor 10 minutes. In certain beneficial embodiments, scaffolds have a RRFranging from 30 to 500 mmHg upon being measured in an MSI radial forcetester at a diameter less than the manufactured diameter, among otherpossible values. In certain beneficial embodiments, scaffolds have anacute COF ranging from 5 to 100 mmHg upon being measured in an MSIradial force tester at a diameter less than the manufactured diameter,among other possible values. Where drug is released, it may be releasedover a period of 6 to 26 weeks, among other values.

In some aspects, the scaffolds described herein may be provided in a kitthat includes (a) one or more scaffolds, (b) delivery catheters, and (c)optional loading aids (e.g., crimping mechanisms), among othercomponents.

Example 1

Uniformly braided scaffolds (see, e.g. FIG. 3A) were first manufacturedusing a PLGA(85:15) copolymer by spooling fiber spun monofilaments ontoindividual bobbins. Each bobbin was placed on a braiding machine, strungthrough rollers and eyelets and wrapped around a mandrel of desired OD(e.g. 7, 8, or 10 mm). The braiding tension of the machine was set asappropriate for the size of the monofilament. The pix/inch was set toobtain a braid angle with optimal properties including radial strength.The braid pattern was selected and the monofilaments were braided offthe spool onto the mandrel by the braiding machine. The wraps were usedon the end of each mandrel to keep the tension on the filaments, whichcan be useful for heat annealing and obtaining high modulus properties.The braided polymer was heat annealed on the mandrel, and then cut intodesired lengths with a blade and removed from the mandrel.

The braided PLGA scaffolds were coated with a support coating made frompoly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) cured with hexamethylenediisocyanate (HDI) in the presence of 1-dodecanol (DD) as a chainterminator with the optional use of a catalyst. In particular, afour-arm hydroxyl terminated PLCL (40:60) (mol/mol), HDI, and DD weredissolved in dichloromethane to make a stock solution for spray-coating.The solution was spray-coated onto the braided scaffolds. Afterthoroughly curing at elevated temperatures, the scaffolds were cut intovarious lengths for radial force and recovery testing. FIG. 16 shows themacroscopic images of 8 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm and 31 mm scaffolds, each with16 strands and a braid angle of approximately 100-135 degrees. Someproperties of these and analogous scaffolds with different manufactureddiameters, numbers of strands, and braid angles are compiled in Table 1(wherein @[D0-1] mm refers to measurement 1 mm below the manufactureddiameter, i.e. 6 mm for the 7 mm scaffolds, 7 mm for the 8 mm scaffolds,and 9 mm for the 10 mm scaffolds). All scaffolds have shown excellentdiameter recovery (Rec. %) after simulated use. They have variableradial stiffness (RRF and COF) depending on the design.

TABLE 1 Filament Braid Diameter diameter angle Mass RRF/COF@[D₀ − Entry(mm) Filaments (in) (deg) (mg/mm) 1] mm (mmHg) Rec. % 1 7 32 0.006″ 1272.6  492/166 97.9 2 7 24 0.006″ 127 2.1  436/133 98.1 3 7 16 0.006″ 1271.6 363/66 97.9 4 8 32 0.006″ 127 2.6 431/66 98.8 5 8 16 0.006″ 127 1.6251/18 99.3 6 10 32 0.006″ 127 2.6 175/30 98.4 7 10 32 0.006″ 110 2.0 54/10 98.6 8 10 16 0.0065″ 127 1.8 99/4 97.4 9 10 16 0.0065″ 110 1.431/4 98.6

Example 2

The scaffolds prepared in Example 1 were further coated with anadditional conformal coating comprising a mixture of PLCL and mometasonefuroate (MF) as active agent. The PLCL in the MF-containing coatingcomprised about 70% (mol %) lactic acid, with the balance beingcaprolactone (PLCL 70:30). A homogenous solution of MF and PLCL wasprepared in dichloromethane (DCM). Then, the DCM solution wasspray-coated onto a 7 mm scaffold with 24 strands.

The amount of MF carried by each scaffold was controlled by thethickness and loading rate of the MF-containing coating. By controllingthickness to between <1 μm to 10 μm and loading rate from about 1 wt %to about 40 wt % MF relative to total dry coating weight, the inventorshave found a drug loading for a 7 mm diameter scaffold to beneficiallybe about 10 to 2400 μg per 10 mm of scaffold length, more beneficially100 to 1600 μg per 10 mm of scaffold length. FIG. 17A shows thecumulative MF released in mass for scaffolds with different drug loadingrates (5, 10 and 20 weight % corresponding to 100, 200 and 400 μg MF per10 mm of scaffold length. Significantly, the inventors found that thepercentage drug release profiles are marginally affected by thedrug-loading rates within a certain range (see FIG. 17B).

Example 3

To provide more linear release profiles, a topcoat comprising PLCL(70:30) and PLA was further coated onto the drug coated scaffolds. Ahomogenous solution of 0.75 wt % PLCL and 0.25 wt % PLA was prepared inDCM. Then, the DCM solution was spray-coated onto a 7 mm scaffold with24 strands in a single coating layer with variable coating passesresulting in different top coat thickness. As shown in FIG. 18, the MFrelease can be tuned by changing the thickness of topcoat. The thickeris the topcoat, the slower is the drug release. In combination of thisapproach with different drug loading rate, it is readily to providedifferent daily dosage with programmable release duration.

Example 4

Biodegradable polymers such as D,L-PLGA have also be used as the drugcarrier. Conformal coatings comprising a mixture of D,L-PLGA andmometasone furoate (MF) as active agent were formed. The coatingscontained 20 wt % MF. The D,L-PLGA in the mometasone-containing coatingcomprised D,L-PLGA having about 50% lactide and 50% ε-caprolactone(50:50) (mol %), D,L-PLGA having about 75% lactide and 25%ε-caprolactone (75:25) or D,L-PLGA having about 85% lactide and 15%ε-caprolactone (85:15). In each case a homogenous solution of MF andD,L-PLGA was prepared in anisole/ethyl formate (50:50 v/v). Then, thesolution was spray-coated onto a 7 mm scaffold with 24 strands.

As exemplified in FIG. 19, the drug released from the scaffolds withthese polymers as the coating layer is drastically slower than thatcoated with PLCL(70:30). In the case of D,L-PLGA, and without wishing tobe bound by theory, the drug release is most likely controlled by thedegradation of the carrier polymer, with drug molecules to be releasedin a later stage after the polymer starts to degrade.

In this context, a scaffold with dual layers of drug coating can bemanufactured to achieve sustainable release of MF over a long period oftime. For example, a top layer comprising PLCL(70:30) and MF may beformed over a bottom layer comprising DL-PLGA and MF. Without wishing tobe bound by theory, in the early stage, it is believed that drugreleased would be dominated by the diffusion-controlled release of MFfrom the top layer, whereas in the later stage, the drug in the bottomlayer would be released in association with the degradation of DL-PLGA.

Example 5

A scaffold consisting of 16 monofilament strands (0.0065″ filamentdiameter, PLGA 85:15) was braided onto a large diameter mandrel (3.175cm) in a 1×1 braid pattern at 25 picks per inch. The scaffolds were thenannealed at 130° C. for 24 hours, cut to a working length and thenplaced onto fixtures in preparation for spray coating.

An elastomer solution was prepared using 5 wt % PLCL(40:60) dissolved inDCM. A crosslinker, hexamethylene diisocyanate (45:1 NCO:OH) and zincoctoate catalyst (0.1 wt %) were added to the final solution. Theelastomer solution was spray coated onto the scaffold and cured at 100°C. for 24 hrs in an open vial. A photograph of one stent produced inthis matter is shown in FIG. 20A and a photograph of a coating node ofsuch as stent is shown in FIG. 20B.

A flat plate compression test was conducted to assess the mechanicalperformance of the scaffold post curing. The scaffold was compressedlongitudinally up to 50% of the initial diameter. The results are shownin FIG. 21, wherein compressive load is per unit length of the scaffold.

Example 6

A multifilament strand was prepared by twisting two 0.007″ PLGA 85:15monofilament strands together. The multifilament strand was then handwoven using a fixture into a variety of braid patterns. An example ofthe fixture used to prepare multifilament scaffold is shown in FIG. 22.The fixture was also used to prepare scaffolds using monofilamentstrands. After weaving, filament ends were secured to the fixture usingtape and subsequently annealed at 100° C. overnight to set the filamentsand maintain filament cross-over points. Scaffolds were then spraycoated using an elastomer solution containing 5 wt % PLCL 40:60, HDI(45:1 NCO:OH) and zinc catalyst (0.1 wt %) in methylene chloride. Allscaffolds were cured at 100° C. for 24 hrs in an open vial.

Table 2 contains data generated from five different braid patterns(shown in FIGS. 22A-22E) after spray coating. All scaffolds weremeasured for diameter, weight, braid angle, acute recovery and recoverypost deployment.

TABLE 2 Monofilament Twisted multifilament Device 4 filament 4 filament4 filament 2 filament 2 filament braid braid low braid angle braid lowbraid angle See FIG. 22A See FIG. 22B See FIG. 22C See FIG. 22D See FIG.22E Mass/length device (mg/mm) 3.8 5.5 10 2.9 3.8 Mass (mg) 77.0 ~110203 57.4 76.6 Braid angle ~75 ~70 ~45 ~80 ~50 Device diameter (mm) ~38~38 ~38 ~38 ~38 Acute recovery 83% 60% Buckled 78% 85% Recovery (>10mins post-deploy) 85% 68% (non-circular recovery) 90% 85%

Recovery testing was performed by crimping and transferring thescaffolds through a series of large to small tubes using an outerbraided mesh sheath until a crimp diameter of 4-5 mm was reached. Theacute recovery and post deployment recovery is reported as a percentageof the initial diameter.

Example 7

In vivo performance of a scaffold in accordance with the presentdisclosure was examined within a swine cadaver. This study utilized ascaffold in accordance with the present disclosure, approximately 7 mmin diameter and having a 32 filament braid (ref. Table 1, entry 1), anddelivered through a 7.5F catheter.

The device was implanted into folds of the nasal turbinate of a swinecadaver. The scaffold deployed in the swine nasal cavity in a smooth,controlled fashion by withdrawing the device outer sheath while holdinga middle pusher in place. FIG. 23A, FIG. 23B, FIG. 23C and FIG. 23D arephotographs illustrating the deployment process. The delivery catheterwas approximately 2.8 mm in diameter. The scaffold expanded to fill thespace between the nasal septum and a nasal turbinate as seen in FIG. 24.These deployments identified some potential benefits of the scaffolds ofthe present disclosure, including: (a) controlled, accurate delivery,(b) improved apposition/conformability to nasal cavity walls and (c)reduced device profile.

Example 8

A human cadaver study was conducted to assess the clinical performanceof scaffolds in accordance with the present disclosure in the humananatomy. Device prototypes and delivery system prototypes wereintegrated to test multiple scenarios within the representative anatomy,both before and after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Endpointsincluded visual appearance via endoscopy and clinical feedback.

Several small diameter scaffold prototypes in accordance with thepresent disclosure are described in Table 1, while two large diameterscaffold prototypes are described in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Filament Braid Number Load at 50% Mass Diameter Length diameterangle of compression % Design (mg) (cm) (mm) Filaments (in) (deg)scaffolds (N) Recovery 2 filament 60 ~3.8 20 2 0.0075″ 50 1 0.034 85braid offset twisted 4 filament 77 ~3.8 20 4 0.0075″ 70 1 0.032 85 braid(monofilament)

Scaffolds formed using procedures along the lines described in Example 1were placed in the middle meatus, providing mechanical force to displacethe middle turbinate medially and demonstrating the potential to deliverdrug to the ethmoid sinuses. Five deployments were conducted: (a) a 16filament, 8 mm scaffold, (b) a 32 filament, 8 mm scaffold, (c) a 16filament, 10 mm scaffold, (d) a 32 filament, 10 mm scaffold and (d) a 32filament, 13 mm scaffold. Although all devices conformed relatively wellto the tissues, displacing the middle turbinate medially (MT) andproviding outward force on the uncinate process (UP) laterally, the 32filament, 13 mm scaffold appeared to provide the best fit for theparticular space into which it had been implanted. FIG. 25, is aphotograph illustrating the 32 filament, 13 mm scaffold (length of 10mm) following deployment in the middle meatus of a human cadaver. Theimplant conformed well to the tissues with appropriate medialization ofmiddle turbinate.

Devices in accordance with the present disclosure were also placed inthe frontal recesses of human cadavers. In a first cadaveric specimen,the frontal recess could not be accessed prior to surgical intervention.The ostia to the frontal sinus was approximately 1 mm in diameter andcould not accommodate the delivery device. Functional endoscopic sinussurgery (FESS) was conducted to remove ethmoid cells and expand thepassage to the frontal sinus. Following this procedure, 32 filament(Table 1, entry 6) and 16 filament (Table 1, group 8) implants weredeployed into the fontal sinus ostia. Although both devices conformedwell to the tissue, 16 filament device appeared to exhibit enhancedconformance for the particular space into which it had been implanted.FIG. 26 is a photograph illustrating the 16 filament, 10 mm scaffoldfollowing deployment in the frontal sinus ostia.

In a second cadaver, the frontal sinus ostia was accessible prior tosurgical intervention. 10 mm, 16 filament implants (n=1 from Table 1,entry 8 and n=1 from Table 1, entry 9) were deployed into the frontalsinus before and after FESS, respectively. These implants conformed wellto the sinus ostia.

A 16 filament, 10 mm diameter scaffold, a 4 filament, 38 mm scaffold, a2 filament, 38 mm scaffold, and a 32 filament, 17.5 mm scaffold wereplaced the ethmoid sinus of human cadavers following functionalendoscopic sinus surgery, with the 10 mm diameter scaffold appearing tobe undersize for the particular space into which it had been implanted,the 38 mm scaffolds appearing to be oversize for the particular spaceinto which it had been implanted, and with the 17.5 mm scaffoldappearing to provide the best fit for the particular space into which ithad been implanted. FIG. 27, which is a photograph illustrating a 32filament scaffold having a diameter of 17.5 mm and a length of 10 mmafter deployment in the ethmoid sinus following FESS.

This study utilized 7.5 French and 9 French catheter systems. The 7.5Fsystem was used to access all frontal sinuses, while the 9F system wasused for device deployments into the ethmoid sinus. Both catheterdiameters were acceptable, and devices functioned appropriately duringuse. A 90-degree bend was appropriate for reaching the frontal sinus.Catheters of this type are described, for example, in “SINUS SCAFFOLDDELIVERY SYSTEMS,” Attorney Docket No. 81354800002, Ser. No. 62/186,311,filed on Jun. 29, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

All devices were easily repositioned using standard tools followingdeployment. All devices were easily removed from the body.

Example 9

Uniformly braided PLGA(10:90) or PLGA(75:25) scaffolds (diameter=8 mm,16 strands, having a braid angle of 120°) were coated with a supportcoating made from poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) cured withhexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) in the presence of 1-dodecanol (DD) asa chain terminator and zinc octoate (Zn(Oct)₂) as a catalyst. Moreparticularly, four-arm PLCL (40:60), HDI, DD, and Zn(Oct)₂ weredissolved in dichloromethane (DCM) to make a stock solution forspray-coating. The solution was spray-coated onto the braided scaffoldsusing standard procedures. After drying at room temperature under anitrogen environment overnight, the scaffolds were thoroughly cured at60° C. and then cut into 10 mm length for radial force and recoverytesting. To improve the node accumulation of elastomer on the scaffolds,anisole (AN) was used as a co-solvent in the spray-coating solution.After drying and curing treatment as described above, these scaffoldswere also subject to mechanical performance evaluation. FIGS. 28A-28Dare optical microscopic images of coated 8 mm scaffolds having 16strands with and without anisole as a co-solvent during spray-coating asfollows: FIG. 28A, PLGA(10:90) scaffold without anisole co-solvent; FIG.288, PLGA(10:90) scaffold with anisole co-solvent; FIG. 28C, PLGA(75:25)scaffold without anisole co-solvent; and FIG. 28D PLGA(75:25) withanisole co-solvent. Some properties of these scaffolds are compiled inTable 4.

TABLE 4 Solvent Wt % RRF/ COF/ Rec. % of Base braid for of elas- mmHgmmHg initial material coating tomer (5.5 mm) (5.5 mm) diameterPLGA(10:90) DCM 93 70 21 98.4 PLGA(10:90) DCM/AN 95 151 65 98.5PLGA(75:25) DCM 98 70 24 98.8 PLGA(75:25) DCM/AN 96 139 77 99.6

All scaffolds showed excellent diameter recovery after simulateddeployment. However, the scaffolds have drastically different radialstiffness depending on the node accumulation of elastomer. The basebraid material does not significantly impact the radial stiffness of thecoated scaffolds as these two materials have comparable modulus.Similarly, 22 mm diameter PLGA(10:90) scaffolds were coated with thesame elastomer in the absence and presence of anisole as a co-solventduring spray-coating as described above. The scaffolds have 32 strandsand a braid angle of 128 or 140. FIGS. 29A-29C show optical images ofcoated scaffolds with and without anisole as a co-solvent duringspray-coating as follows: FIG. 29A scaffold coated with 62 wt %elastomer relative to the weight of the base braid (i.e., the ratiobetween the mass of the elastomer and the mass of the base braid) fromsolution that does not contain anisole as a co-solvent; FIG. 29Bscaffold coated with 63 wt % elastomer relative to the weight of thebase braid from solution containing anisole as a co-solvent; and FIG.29C scaffold coated with 100 wt % elastomer relative to the weight ofthe base braid from solution containing anisole as a co-solvent. Asabove, the presence of anisole during scaffold coating improves the nodeaccumulation of the resultant elastomer on the scaffolds. In addition,more coating material would lead to further node accumulation. Toevaluate their mechanical performance, these 22 mm diameter scaffolds(Length=10 mm) were subject to compression test in between two parallelflat aluminum plates assembled onto an INSTRON equipment. The scaffoldswere compressed to 75% of their initial diameter and the forces at thecompression and the rebound stages were recorded as a function of thecompressive distance. Table 2 summarizes the compression force (Fc) andthe rebound force (Fr) at 50% compression. These forces are normalizedto the scaffold length.

TABLE 5 Solvent Wt % Fc/mN mm⁻¹ Fr/mN mm⁻¹ Rec. % of Braid for of elas-(50% com- (50% com- initial angle coating tomer pression) pression)Diameter 128 DCM 62 7.6 5.2 94.8 DCM/AN 63 14.7 10.3 96.5 DCM/AN 10014.7 10.3 96.8 140 DCM 87 15.5 10.8 98.1 DCM/AN 82 18.9 12.6 98.5 DCM/AN118 20.8 13.4 —

It is noted that higher braid angle provides higher compression andrebound force of the scaffold. On the other hand, the node accumulationof the elastomer helps to enhance the stiffness of the scaffolds.However, it has been found that further increasing the quantity of thecoating material only marginally improves the compression strength ofthe scaffolds once a certain level of materials has been introduced ontothe nodes.

Example 10

In this Example, scaffolds were further coated with an additionalconformal coating comprising a mixture of PLCL and mometasone furoate(MF) as active agent. The PLCL in the MF-containing coating comprisedabout 70% (mol %) lactic acid, with the balance being caprolactone (PLCL70:30). A homogenous solution of MF and PLCL was prepared in ethylformate and anisole (50:50 v/v). Then, the solution was spray-coatedonto a scaffold of d=10 mm with 16 strands or a scaffold of d=22 mm with32 strands. The amount of MF carried by each scaffold was controlled bythe thickness and loading rate of the MF-containing coating. In the caseof 10 mm scaffolds, drug layers containing 20 wt % MF (80 wt % PLCL) and40 wt % MF (60 wt % PLCL), respectively, have been coated onto thescaffolds to afford 240 μg and 590 μg MF per scaffold, respectively. Inanother case, 800 μg MF has been coated onto a 22 mm scaffold with 20 wt% MF (80 wt % PLCL) in the drug layer. The drug layer of these 22 mm and10 mm scaffolds has comparable thickness.

The in vitro release of MF from these MF-coated scaffolds wasdetermined. Each scaffold was incubated in a pre-defined amount of pH7.4 PBS buffer with 2% SDS at 37° C. under gentle shaking. At eachindicated time point (see FIGS. 30A and 30B), the buffer was removedcompletely for quantification of MF by HPLC and new buffer was added.FIGS. 30A and 30B illustrate respectively cumulative absolute andpercent mass of MF released from these three sets of scaffolds. Asexpected, the amount of MF released daily depends on the total MFloading in the scaffolds. On the other hand, the 10 mm scaffolds with 40wt % MF loading rate exhibit significantly slower percent release thantheir analogs with 20 wt % MF loading rate. This result is differentfrom what the present inventors have observed for scaffolds withrelatively low MF loading rates (e.g. from 5 wt % to 20 wt %). It ishypothesized that the high loading rate of MF in the drug coating layermay result in crystallization of MF, consequently leading to slower drugrelease. In this regard, tailoring drug crystal size is a method ofchoice to get control over the drug release profile. Interestingly, the22 mm and 10 mm scaffolds with 20 wt % MF loading rate show essentiallyidentical percent releasing profiles, suggesting that the releasingprofile is barely affected by the dimension of the scaffolds when thedrug layer has similar thickness.

Example 11

Scaffolds of PLGA (10:90) carrying 590 μg MF and scaffolds of PLGA(75:25) carrying 530 μg MF were manufactured at a diameter of 10 mm andlength of 6.5 mm. These scaffolds were sterilized using ethylene oxideand implanted into the left and right maxillary sinus cavities ofhealthy young, 4-6 month old New Zealand white rabbits. Scaffolds wereexplanted at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days and analyzed for residual drugcontent using HPLC-UV. Kinetic drug release (KDR) profiles weregenerated by subtracting the residual drug from the initially loadeddrug determined gravimetrically. The tissue that surrounded the scaffoldwhile deployed was collected and analyzed to obtain the tissue drugconcentration. FIG. 31 illustrates the in vivo KDR profiles forMF-coated PLGA(10:90) and PLGA(75:25) scaffolds. FIG. 32 shows the MFconcentration in the sinus mucosa of sacrificed rabbits at given timepoints. FIG. 33 shows the total amount of MF on the scaffold plus theamount of drug in the sinus mucosa of scarified rabbits at given timepoints.

Example 12

Braided PLGA 17.5 mm diameter scaffolds (PLGA 10:90, 32 strands) werecoated with a support coating made frompoly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), specifically, L-PLCL (40:60), curedwith hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) in the presence of 1-dodecanol(DD) as a chain terminator with the optional use of a Zn(Oct)₂ catalystas described above. Then, an additional therapeutic-agent-containinglayer comprising 30 wt % MF and 70 wt % PLCL was further coated onto thescaffold from a homogenous solution of MF and PLCL prepared in ethylformate and anisole (70:30 v/v) as described above, except thatD,L-PLCL(80:20) or D,L-PLCL(90:10) was used as the carrier polymer,rather than L-PLCL(70:30) as described above in Example 10.

The in vitro release of MF from these MF-coated scaffolds was furtherdetermined as described above in Example 10. As shown in FIG. 34, the MFrelease rate associated with of D,L-PLCL(80:20) (Tg=20° C.) is muchfaster than that of D,L-PLCL(90:10) (Tg=35° C.). Without wishing to bebound by theory, it is believed that the glass transition temperature(Tg) of the carrier polymer plays an important role in determining thedrug release profile. In this regard, in the absence of Tg effects, itwould have normally been expected for the copolymer having the leastamount of the more hydrophobic monomer (caprolactone), i.e.,D,L-PLCL(90:10), to demonstrate the faster release.

Example 13

Braided PLGA 17.5 mm diameter scaffolds (PLGA 10:90, 32 strands) werecoated with a support coating made frompoly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), specifically, L-PLCL (40:60), curedwith hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) in the presence of 1-dodecanol(DD) as a chain terminator with the optional use of a catalyst asdescribed above. Then, an additional therapeutic-agent-containing layercomprising 30 wt % MF and 70 wt % polymer material was further coatedonto the scaffold from a homogenous solution of MF and polymer materialprepared in ethyl formate and anisole (70:30 v/v) as described above,except that in addition to L-PLCL(70:30) as described above in Example10, the polymeric materials tested further included a blend ofPLCL(70:30) and PLGA(75:25) in a 75:25 wt/wt ratio, a blend ofPLCL(70:30) and PLGA(85:15) in a 75:25 wt/wt ratio, and a blend ofPLCL(70:30) and PLA in a 75:25 wt/wt ratio.

The in vitro release of MF from these MF-coated scaffolds was furtherdetermined as described above in Example 10. As shown in FIG. 35, the MFrelease rate is reduced when copolymers of higher lactide content areblended into PLCL(70:30). Without wishing to be bound by theory, it isbelieved that MF release rate decreases with increasing Tg of thepolymer that is blended with the PLCL(70:30). In this regard, PLA hasthe highest glass transition temperature among the three polymers used(PLGA(75:25) Tg˜50° C., PLGA(85:15) Tg˜55° C., and PLA Tg˜60° C.).

Example 14

Uniformly braided PLGA(10:90) scaffolds (diameter=17.5 mm, length=10 mm,32 strands, having a braid angle of 90° or 128°) were coated with asupport coating made from poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) curedwith hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) in the presence of 1-dodecanol(DD) as a chain terminator with the optional use of a catalyst asdescribed above and further coated with a conformal coating comprising amixture of PLCL and mometasone furoate as described in prior Example 10.

To evaluate their mechanical performance, as shown schematically in FIG.38, these scaffolds 100 were laid on their sides and compressed inbetween two parallel flat plates 210 a, 210 b of a compression apparatus200 in a chamber maintained at 34° C. and 80% relative humidity. Stateddifferently, scaffolds 100 were placed in a compressed state between twoparallel flat plates 210 a, 210 b such that the axis A of the tubularscaffold is parallel to the parallel flat plates and such that thetubular scaffold 100 is compressed between the parallel flat plates to apoint where a distance d between the parallel flat plates is apercentage of the initial unconstrained diameter such that the tubularscaffold has a first minimum width D measured perpendicular to the axisA that is equal to the distance d, when the scaffold 100 is compressedin the compression apparatus 200. The scaffolds were compressed toeither 1.5 mm (8.6% of their initial diameter) or 3 mm (17.1% of theirinitial diameter). On a weekly basis the scaffolds were removed from thecompression apparatus and the recovered minimum width D (also referredto as the second minimum width D) of each scaffold was measured bothimmediately after removal from the compression apparatus and six hoursafter removal from the compression apparatus. % recovery is calculatedby dividing the second minimum width D immediately after removal or 6hours after removal from the compression plates by the first minimumwidth D (which is equal to the distance d across the gap between theparallel plates, i.e. D (in mm)/1.5 mm×100 or D (in mm)/3 mm×100.

In some embodiments, after being maintained in a compressed state for 10weeks at a distanced that is 8.5% of the manufactured diameter of thescaffold (e.g., a 17.5 mm scaffold compressed to 1.5 mm), and afterremoval the tubular scaffold 100 from the compressed state for a periodof six hours, the first minimum width D of the tubular scaffold(distance d) may recover to a second minimum width D measuredperpendicular to the axis that is at least 450% (e.g., 450% to 1000%) ofthe first minimum width D (theoretical maximum 1166%). In someembodiments, after being maintained in a compressed state for 10 weeksat a distance d that is 17% of the manufactured diameter of the scaffold(e.g., a 17.5 mm scaffold compressed to 3.0 mm), and after removal thetubular scaffold 100 from the compressed state for a period of sixhours, the first minimum width D of the tubular scaffold may recover toa second minimum width D measured perpendicular to the axis that is atleast 250% (e.g., 250% to 500%) of the first minimum width D(theoretical maximum 583%).

Results for the 90° and 128° braid angle scaffolds compressed to 1.5 mmimmediately after removal is presented in FIG. 36A and results for the90° and 128° braid angle scaffolds compressed to 3.0 mm immediatelyafter removal is presented in FIG. 36B. As can be seen from FIG. 36A,the immediate recovery of 90° braid angle scaffolds from 1.5 mmcompression is approximately 230% after 1 week and approximately 250%after 10 weeks. The immediate recovery of 128° braid angle scaffoldsfrom 1.5 mm compression is approximately 175% after 1 week andapproximately 190% after 10 weeks. As can be seen from FIG. 36B,immediate recovery of 90° braid angle scaffolds from 3.0 mm compressionis approximately 165% after 1 week and approximately 170% after 10weeks. The immediate recovery of 128° braid angle scaffolds from 3.0 mmcompression is approximately 140% after 1 week and approximately 175%after 10 weeks.

Results for the 90° and 128° braid angle scaffolds compressed to 1.5 mm,6 hours after removal, is presented in FIG. 37A and Table 6, and resultsfor the 90° and 128° braid angle scaffolds compressed to 3.0 mm, 6 hoursafter removal, is presented in FIG. 37B and Table 7. The 6 hour recoveryof 90° braid angle scaffolds from 1.5 mm compression was approximately540% after 1 week and approximately 510° h after 10 weeks. The 6 hourrecovery of 128° braid angle scaffolds from 1.5 mm compression wasapproximately 550% after 1 week and approximately 480% after 10 weeks.The 6 hour recovery of 90° braid angle scaffolds from 3.0 mm compressionwas approximately 280% after 1 week and approximately 270% after 10weeks. The 6 hour recovery of 128° braid angle scaffolds from 3.0 mmcompression was approximately 300% after 1 week and approximately 190%after 10 weeks.

TABLE 6 1.5 mm Gap - 90 Braid Angle 1.5 mm Gap - 128 Braid Angle 6 hr 6hr 6 hr 6 hr Recovery Recovery Recovery Recovery (mm) (%) (mm) (%) 1 wk8.09 539% 8.23 549% 2 wk 5.36 357% 4.43 295% 3 wk 5.74 383% 5.16 344% 4wk 5.7 380% 5.36 357% 5 wk 6.26 417% 6.5 433% 6 wk 6.08 405% 6.01 401% 7wk 5.17 345% 4.7 313% 8 wk 6.1 407% 5.89 392% 9 wk 7.2 480% 7.33 488% 10wk  7.62 508% 7.2 480%

TABLE 7 3 mm Gap - 90 Braid Angle 3 mm Gap - 128 Braid Angle 6 hr 6 hr 6hr 6 hr Recovery Recovery Recovery Recovery (mm) (%) (mm) (%) 1 wk 8.49283% 8.88 296% 2 wk 6.24 208% 5.24 175% 3 wk 6.67 222% 6.15 205% 4 wk6.65 222% 6.04 201% 5 wk 7.14 238% 6.52 217% 6 wk 6.81 227% 6.47 216% 7wk 6.23 208% 6.26 209% 8 wk 7.12 237% 8.09 270% 9 wk 7.65 255% 6.64 221%10 wk  8.2 273% 5.61 187%

As can be seen from FIG. 37A, recovery of 90° braid angle scaffolds from1.5 mm compression appears to be similar to recovery of 128° braid anglescaffolds from 1.5 mm compression at all time points, with each showinga substantial drop in recovery between 1 week and 2 weeks.Representative recovery data is provided in Table 6.

Likewise, as can be seen from FIG. 37B, recovery of 90° braid anglescaffolds from 3.0 mm compression appears to be similar to recovery of128° braid angle scaffolds from 3.0 mm compression out to 7 weeks, witheach showing a substantial drop in recovery between 1 week and 2 weeks.Representative recovery data is provided in Table 7.

Example 15

Braided PLGA 13 mm diameter scaffolds (PLGA 85:15, 32 strands) werecoated with a support coating made frompoly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone), specifically, L-PLCL (40:60 mol:mol),cured with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) in the presence of1-dodecanol (DD) as a chain terminator with the optional use of aZn(Oct)₂ catalyst.

Then, a therapeutic-agent-containing layer comprising 30 wt % MF and 70wt % PLCL(70:30 mol:mol) was coated onto the scaffold from a homogenoussolution of MF and PLCL(70:30) prepared in ethyl formate and anisole.Finally, a topcoat layer of 75 wt % PLCL(70:30) and 25 wt % polylactide(PLA) was further coated onto the scaffold from a solution ofPLCL(70:30) and PLA prepared in methylene chloride.

The in vitro release of MF from these MF-coated scaffolds was furtherdetermined and is presented in FIG. 39. As shown in FIG. 39, the MFrelease rate associated with the scaffolds exhibits substantially linearrelease between 1 and 12 weeks in pH 7.4 PBS buffer containing 2% SDS at37° C. under gentle shaking. It is noted that release under suchconditions has been found to approximately 1.5 to 2 times faster than invivo release.

Although various embodiments are specifically illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of thepresent disclosure are covered by the above teachings and are within thepurview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit andintended scope of the disclosure. For example, while the scaffolds aredescribed herein for sinus applications, such scaffolds may also beuseful for other applications such as Eustachian tube stenting.

1-39. (canceled)
 40. A method of treatment, comprising delivering anexpandable scaffold comprising a therapeutic agent into the middlemeatus of a human patient, wherein the expandable scaffold is one forwhich, when submersed in a pH 7.4 PBS buffer solution containing 2 wt %SDS at 37° C. under gentle shaking on a rotary shaker and the buffersolution is removed completely on a weekly basis as a sample fortherapeutic agent quantification and replaced with fresh buffer, (a) aquantity of therapeutic agent released in each sample, relative to atotal amount of therapeutic agent originally in the scaffold, rangesfrom 1% to 10%, beginning with the second week sample and extending upto the twelfth week sample, or (b) a quantity of therapeutic agentreleased per unit scaffold area in each sample, beginning with thesecond week sample and extending up to the twelfth week sample, rangesfrom 0.05 to 4 μg/mm²/week, where scaffold area is equal to πDL, where Dis the manufactured diameter of the scaffold and L is the manufacturedlength of the scaffold, or (c) both (a) and (b).
 41. The method of claim40, wherein the expandable scaffold is delivered to the native middlemeatus using a 2 to 4 mm catheter.